Fabian White scores 21 in Houston Cougars' 75-61 over SMU

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POSTED: February 27, 2022 -- 5:36 p.m. CT

Houston, TX -- (Fertitta Center)

Fabian White Jr scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Houston Cougars to a solid 75-61 win over the SMU Mustangs Sunday afternoon. The game was a matchup of the top two men's basketball teams in the American Athletic Conference.

Houston entered the game 12-2 in the AAC while SMU was began the game with an 11-3 conference record. Houston's Taze Moore sank a three-pointer to break a 4-4 tie and begin a 7-0 Houston run. SMU's Kendric Davis scored a layup; but, Houston answered with a 10-2 run to lead 21-8.

Josh Carlton scored 6 of the 10 points. Carlton's height, size, and skillset was an advantage Houston capitalized on throughout the game.

When Carlton wasn't scoring in the paint, Fabian White scored in the paint. Carlton and White combined for 14 of Houston's 37 first half points and 10 of Houston's 26 first half rebounds.

"We had an advantage inside with Josh (Carlton) and Fabian," Kelvin Sampson, Houston Head Coach said after the game. "And, we exploited it. We tried to really attack them inside. That's been our game plan: to get the ball inside and attack."

Houston led SMU 37-22 at halftime. SMU's 22 first-half points is a season low for the Mustangs. The Coogs outscored the Mustangs 24-16 in the paint and also owned the rebounding battle 26-14.

Houston's Jamal Shead had 7 assists in the first half. Houston had 11 assists in the first half on 16 made baskets.

SMU missed all 8 three-point attempts in the opening half. However, the Mustangs did make 8 of 16 two-point attempts in the first half.

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SMU's Marcus Weathers made 2 three-pointers in the first two minutes of the second half. SMU made 3 of 5 threes to begin the second half and sliced Houston's 15 point halftime lead to 8 (43-35) with 16:05 remaining in the second half.

"They (SMU) are a good team; so, we knew they weren't going to fold at halftime," Fabian White said of the Mustangs' run to start the second half.

Carlton took responsibility for Marcus Weathers hot start from 3 to begin the second half.

"I will take responsibility on that one," Carlton acknowledged. "I kind of fell asleep coming out the gate on Marcus Weathers. He got two 3-pointers off; and, that sparked it. I have got to take accountability on that and just know that when I am guarding someone like Marcus Weathers who can stretch the floor, I have got to be conscious of where he is at."

Houston led 48-40 when White converted a three-point play after a steal by Jamal Shead. White's layup and made free throw boosted Houston's margin to 11 (51-40. Next, Shead sank a jumper after an offensive rebound; then, White made 2 foul shots to stretch Houston's lead to 55-40 with 10:36 on the game clock.

Houston continued to dominate SMU on the boards. During a 7 minute stretch in the second half, Houston outrebounded SMU 15-0. Yes, fifteen to zero.

Carlton (4 points) and White (2 points) continued their frontcourt dominance during an 8-2 spurt to stretch Houston's lead to 63-42 with 6:39 remaining in the game.

White and Carlton combined for 40 points (15 for 23 field goals and 10 for 15 free throws) and 17 rebounds in the game.

Houston finished the game with 49-25 rebounding edge and 48-30 points in the paint advantage. Houston nearly had as many offensive rebounds (21) as SMU had total rebounds.

"Sometimes, you have to play to your identity," Coach Kelvin Sampson said during the postgame press conference. "We are not a great shooting team. We're hit-and-miss at the free-throw line and the 3-point line. But, defense and rebounding are where we stay consistent."

Jamal Shead finished the game with 10 points and 11 assists for his third double-double this season. Houston had 20 assists for the second consecutive game. The Coogs had 20 assists on 29 baskets against SMU and 20 assists on 31 baskets at Tulane on February 23.

With today's win over SMU, Houston improves to 13-2 in The American and owns a 2-game lead over SMU. Houston can clinch the AAC regular season title with 1 more win.

"Determined to win this game and get some separation in the league," Josh Carlton said. "Just secure the No. 1 spot."

Houston's next game is Tuesday, March 1, at home versus the Cincinnati Bearcats. Tip is set for 8 p.m. Central Time on ESPNU.

Houston has 3 conference games remaining: 3/1, versus Cincinnati (8 pm CT); 3/3, home versus Temple (6 pm CT); and 3/6, on the road, against Memphis (11 am CT).

CLICK HERE for The HRR's write-ups of Coogs' men's hoops games.