Coogs Top Baylor in OT, 82-76

Buy Houston Cougars Gear at Fanatics.com

POSTED: February 24, 2024 -- 11:33 p.m. CT

WACO, TX -- Foster Pavilion

The Houston Cougars Men's Basketball team defeated the Baylor Bears in overtime, 82-76, Saturday afternoon to improve to 24-3 overall and 11-3 in the Big 12 Conference. With the win, Houston maintains its first place spot in the Big 12 standings.

Houston received contributions from everyone during different parts of the game to earn the hard fought victory.

The Coogs' first half performance was perhaps its best showing this season. Houston shot 58.1 fg% (18 for 31) in the first half; outscored the Bears 20-4 in the paint and 13-2 off turnovers to lead the Bears 41-25 at the half.

Baylor Head Coach Scott Drew said, "The first half we were all embarrassed with how we played; how we competed."

Baylor (19-8, 8-6) went on a 12-0 run to start the second half to cut Houston's lead to 4 (41-37). Houston senior forward J'Wan Roberts scored in the paint to end Houston's scoring drought; however, Baylor's Jalen Bridges swished a three-pointer to cut Houston's lead to 3 (43-40) with 14:26 left in the 2nd half.

The Coogs scored 4 straight to up its lead to 47-40; and, after Baylor clawed within 4 (50-46), Houston guard Emanuel Sharp hit a three-pointer then a baseline shot to stretch the lead to 55-46 with 8:38 on the game clock.

Baylor freshman sensation Ja'Kobe Walter answered Sharp's points and kept the Bears close with 8 straight points.

Houston led 62-54 when Jalen Bridges made 2 foul shots and a deep three-pointer to bring the Bears within 3 (62-59) with 4:44 on the clock.

Houston point guard Jamal Shead missed a jumper; and, Bridges sank 2 more free throws to trim the Coogs' lead to only 1 (62-61). Houston big man Ja'Vier Francis scored a second chance layup before Bridges drained a jumper. Then, Francis got a dunk for a 66-63 Houston lead with 1:52 on the clock.

Walter and Sharp each made 2 free throws the next 35 seconds. Houston led 68-65 when point guard RayJ Dennis scored a layup to bring the Bears within 1 (68-67) with 18.3 seconds to go in the 2nd half.

The Bears fouled Houston's Damian Dunn. Dunn made the first free throw but missed the second. Baylor did not call a timeout; and, Dennis found freshman center Yves Missi with a mismatch in the paint. With 4 seconds remaining, Missi scored a layup to tie the game at 69. Missi was fouled by Dunn on the layup attempt. Missi went to the foul line with a chance to put the Bears up 1; however, he missed the free throw. J'Wan Roberts grabbed the rebound and passed to Jamal Shead. Shead raced up the court and launched a deep three-point shot attempt. The shot nestled through the net for an apparent game-winner; however, after checking the review monitor, it was clear Shead did not get the shot off before the buzzer.

Overtime.

RayJ Dennis made a jumper for the first 2 points of the extra 5 minutes; but, Roberts quickly tied the game at 71 with a bucket in the paint.

The Bears missed 3 consecutive shots before Houston grabbed the defensive rebound. Houston guard (and former Baylor transfer) LJ Cryer was fouled and sank 2 free throws for a 73-71 Houston lead.

The Bears did not score for nearly a minute before Dennis split 1 of 2 free throws. Clinging to a 73-72 lead, Roberts dished to Francis in the paint; Francis scored a 10-foot floater for a 75-72 lead. Baylor did not get closer than 3 the remainder of the overtime. The Bears shot just 30 fg% (3 for 10) in overtime while Houston made 2 of its 3 attempts and 9 of 10 free throws to secure the road win.

Baylor finished the game with 19 turnovers. Houston scored 21 points off the turnovers and held a 21-7 edge in points off turnovers in the game.

Emanuel Sharp scored 18 points to lead Houston. J'Wan Roberts filled the stat sheet with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocked shots. LJ Cryer added 15 points; and, Jamal Shead chipped in 12 points and a game-high 10 assists.

Shead missed his last 9 field goal attempts in the second half and overtime.

"I didn't play my best game," Shead said after the game. "But, J'Wan played really good today. LJ played really good today. Emanuel played really good today. And, J's (Ja'Vier Francis) second half was really -- everybody contributed a really big part in this win.

"Mylik (Wilson) gave us good minutes. Damian gave us good minutes. JoJo (Tugler) gave us good minutes. We all were responsible for this win; and, it was just a really good team win because playing on the road is just so hard in this league."

Ja'Kobe Walter scored a game-high 23 points for Baylor. RayJ Dennis scored 21. Dennis also had 8 of the Bears' 19 turnovers.

After the game, Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson said, "This is a good road win for us; and, that's all that matters."

NEXT: Houston's next game is Tuesday, February 27, at home, against the Cincinnati Bearcats. Tip is set for 6 pm CT on ESPN2.

---

SUPPORT The Houston Roundball Review:

Purchase your Coogs' gear at Fanatics.com via this link;

Get ESPN+ via this link;

Save when you get the Disney bundle (ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu) with this link;

OR, contribute via PayPal or the Cash App.

---

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