Houston's defense shuts down Rice in 75-39 victory

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POSTED: December 6, 2023 -- 11:33 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX -- (Fertitta Center)

The 2nd / 3rd-ranked Houston Cougars men's basketball team routed the Rice Owls 75-39 Wednesday night. Houston improves to 9-0 this season while Rice is now 3-6.

Houston's Jamal Shead made a 3 to start the scoring. Rice's Travis Evee sank a 3 to tie the game at 3. Rice's Mekhi Mason hit a 3 to put Rice on top 9-8. Evee nor Mason made a basket the rest of the ball game. Evee finished 1 for 12 and Mason finished 1 for 7.

"We're not going to beat Houston, Houston Christian, or any other Houston when Evee and Mason go 2 for 19," Scott Pera, Rice Owls Head Coach said after the game.

LJ Cryer made a three-pointer for an 11-9 Houston lead with 13:13 on the clock. The Coogs led the final 30 plus minutes of the game.

Houston outscored Rice 26-9 to lead 34-18 at halftime. Rice finished the first half with more turnovers (11) than made field goals (7). Rice shot 29.2 fg% (7 for 24) in the first 20 minutes.

Emanuel Sharp scored a team-high 9 points to lead the Coogs in the first half. Sharp added 3 rebounds and 2 assists in the half.

"Getting comfortable on defense and with my rebounding usually translates to my offense," Sharp said after the game. "So, just the improvement in that area is gonna help me play better overall."

The Coogs blitzed the Owls with an 11-2 in the first 4 minutes of the second half. Shead, Cryer and big men Ja'Vier Francis and J'Wan Roberts each scored during the run.

Rice freshman forward Keanu Dawes nailed a three-pointer to cut Houston's lead to 22 (45-23); however, Rice got no closer than 22 the rest of the ball game. Houston answered with a 20-6 run to put the Owls away.

LJ Cryer made 5 of his 10 three-point attempts for all 15 of his team-high points. Sharp was next with 12 points (4 for 8 fgs; 2 for 2 free throws). Ja'Vier Francis and Damian Dunn each scored 10 points.

Houston sophomore forward Terrance Arceneaux pulled down a game-high 9 rebounds off the bench. After the game, Arceneaux acknowledged he's learned how to become a better player by working harder in practice.

"The way he played tonight is the way he's been practicing," Kelvin Sampson, Houston Head Coach remarked. "Terrance is coming. Emanuel is coming."

"It started in practice," Arceneaux said. "And, like coach said, the way I've been practicing translates into the game now. I feel more confident getting to my spots, making certain passes and different things like that. It definitely started in practice, and I'm continuing to learn, continue to get better and just keep going."

Houston out-rebounded Rice 43-29 and scored 26 points off Rice's 21 turnovers. Rice finished the game 13 for 45 (28.9 fg%) from the floor.

"All credit to Houston," Coach Pera commented. "We know how good they are and how hard it is to win here, especially considering how well this program has developed."

Houston's next game is Saturday, December 9, versus the Jackson State Tigers. Tip is set for 3 p.m. CT.

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