LJ Cryer, J'Wan Roberts and Jamal Shead combined for 50 points in Houston's 79-44 win over Montana

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POSTED: November 24, 2023 -- 11:33 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX -- (Fertitta Center)

LJ Cryer (24 points), Jamal Shead (13 points) and J'Wan Roberts (13 points) combined for 50 of the Houston Cougars' 79 points in a 79-44 home win over the Montana Grizzlies Friday afternoon.

Houston improved to 7-0 this season.

Cryer made a three-pointer to start the scoring. Cryer score 5 of Houston's first 11 points as Houston's defense stifled the Grizzlies with a quick 11-0 lead four minutes into the game.

After the game, Cryer said he's getting more comfortable in Houston's system.

"I feel pretty comfortable," said Cryer. "I'm still learning things on offense and defense; but, I mean I have a pretty good grasp on what to do on both sides of the ball right now so I just go out there and play hard."

Cryer finished the first half with 14 points on 5 for 8 field goal shooting -- including 4 for 7 from three-point range.

The Coogs led the Grizzlies 41-14 at halftime. Montana shot 5 for 23 (21.7 fg%) in the first half. Houston had 2 turnovers in the first half -- the first turnover happened nearly 16 minutes into the game.

"We have one of the best backcourts around." Kelvin Sampson, Houston Head Coach said after the game. "If I draw something up, or if we teach something, there's nothing in that play that says, ‘Throw it away."

Jamal Shead had 3 of his game-high 7 assists in the first half. On his third assist, Shead accumulated the 500th assist of his collegiate career. He became the seventh Coog in program history to dish out at least 500 assists.

"That's awesome," Shead said of his achievement. "It's just a testament to how much my teammates and I work. I can't get 500 assists without guys making shots. It's awesome and it's a great feeling for the guys that have helped me get there, and I'll just try to get more."

Montana (2-3) shot 45.0 fg% (9 for 20) in the second half; but, the Griz never got closer than 23 in the second half and trailed by as much as 42 in the second 20 minutes.

Houston sophomore Terrance Arceneaux pulled down a team-high 9 rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench. Arceneaux missed his first six field goal attempts and finished the game 1 for 8 from the floor.

Arceneaux's shooting numbers do not concern Coach Sampson.

"Terrance really improved a lot, and that's why I don't evaluate how guys play based on whether they made shots or not. That's pretty shallow in a lot of ways."

With Houston's home win over Montana, J'Wan Roberts became the first Coog to be part of 50 wins inside Fertitta Center.

"If I were to describe J'Wan in a word, it would be winner," Coach Sampson said. "He plays winning basketball."

Houston's next game is Friday, December 1, at the Xavier Musketeers, as part of the Big 12 / Big East Battle. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m. CT on FS1.

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