LJ Cryer's season-high 26 points leads Coogs to 82-61 win over Longhorns

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POSTED: February 17, 2024 -- 11:33 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX -- Fertitta Center

The Houston Cougars Men's Basketball Team defeated the Texas Longhorns 82-61 Saturday afternoon in front of a raucous 7904 fans packed inside Fertitta Center. The 7904 in attendance sets a new Fertitta Center.

"I wouldn't trade the Fertitta Center crowd for any of them (crowds at other Big 12 schools)," Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson said after the game. "I love our little slice of heaven here."

With the win, Houston improves to 22-3 overall and 9-3 in the Big 12. Texas is now 16-9, 5-7.

Houston senior guard LJ Cryer led the Coogs with a season-high 26 points. Cryer knocked down 6 of his 9 three-point attempts in the victory.

"It's good to see the first one go in, it gives me confidence," Cryer acknowledged after the game. "Once I start a streak, the basket gets bigger."

Cryer scored his first 2 points of the game at the foul line which gave Houston a 17-14 lead. Longhorns' guard Tyrese Hunter made a 3 to tie the game at 17 with 11:03 remaining in the first half. Then, Cryer sank a pull up jumper. Cryer scored 7 points during Houston's 14-3 run which took 6 plus minutes as both teams struggled to make field goals.

Texas made 1 of 11 shot attempts during Houston's run. Texas big man Dylan Disu scored 7 straight points to cut Houston's lead to 34-27 with 1:14 left in the opening half. However, Houston closed the half with 6 straight points in 50 seconds: 2 on a dunk by starting center Ja'Vier Francis and 4 from starting point guard Jamal Shead.

Houston led Texas 40-27 at halftime.

Shead started the second-half scoring with a step back three-point bucket. Cryer followed with a 3-point basket seconds later. Cryer nailed another three-pointer to cap a 15-4 Houston run to extend Houston's lead to 55-31 with 15:18 to go in the game.

Texas scored 7 in a row to trim Houston's lead to 18 (55-37); but, Emanuel Sharp made 2 free throws to start a 10-4 Houston response. Cryer drained 2 three-pointers during the spurt. Houston led 65-41 with 9:50 on the game clock.

The Longhorns were able to get within 17 (67-50) of the Cougars; however, Houston put the game away with a 19-4 run over a 4-minute stretch. Houston's largest lead of the game was 26 (86-60) with 2:07 to go in the game.

Houston outscored Texas 19-4 in points off turnovers; 14-7 in second chance points; and 16-7 in fast break points.

The Coogs won the battle of the boards 45-34.

Cryer finished the game making 9 of his 13 shot attempts.

"We try to find the hot hand and when he has it going," Jamal Shead said of Cryer's hot shooting. "The hot hand usually finds the ball."

Cryer, Shead (6 of 11) and Emanuel Sharp (5 of 11) combined to make 20 of Houston's 29 baskets. They shot a combined 20 for 35 from the floor.

Shead finished the game with 16 points, a career-high 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals. Sharp scored 15 points and added 3 rebounds.

Shead moved past 600 assists in his career, becoming only the fourth Cougar in school history to reach that total. Shead also moved past 200 steals in his award-winning career against the Longhorns.

With his totals Saturday, Shead became the first Houston Cougar in program history to record 100 wins, 1,100 points, 600 assists and 200 steals during his career.

NEXT: Houston's next game is Monday, February 19, at home, against the Iowa State Cyclones. Tip is set for 8 pm CT on ESPN.

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