LJ Cryer scored 20 points to lead Houston to 82-59 win over Texas Tech in Big 12 semifinal match-up

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POSTED: March 15, 2024 -- 11:33 p.m. CT

KANSAS CITY, MO -- T-Mobile Center

The top-seed Houston Cougars defeated 4-seed Texas Tech 82-59 Friday night in the first semifinal of the 2024 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship. With the win, Houston improves to 30-3 this season and has now won 30 or more games in three consecutive seasons for the first time in the history of Houston Cougars Men's Basketball.

Houston displayed its customary suffocating defense as Houston limited to Texas Tech to 5 points the first 9 minutes of the ball game. After Tech big man Robert Jennings opened the scoring with a slam dunk, Houston outscored Tech 21-3 to lead 21-5 with 10:55 remaining in the first half.

The Coogs made 6 of 8 field goals during the run. However, during Houston's blitz of Texas Tech, Houston veteran big man J'Wan Roberts injured his right leg on defense. Roberts stayed down on the court for a few minutes before being helped to the bench. Moments later, he limped to the locker room. Roberts returned to the bench; and, the team announced Roberts had suffered a shin contusion to his right leg.

Houston guard Mylik Wilson had a putback slam dunk for a 25-12 lead; however, the Coogs' offense experienced a scoring drought (6 straight missed shots) while Texas Tech's offense caught fire.

Tech went on a 13-0 run to cut Houston's lead to 27-25 with 2:13 remaining in the first half.

Damian Dunn knocked down a jumper to end Houston's scoring drought. Dunn made 4 of his 5 field goal attempts in the opening half.

Kerwin Walton sank 2 foul shots after Dunn picked up his third foul.

LJ Cryer sank his third three-point shot of the half to give Houston a 32-29 lead at halftime.

Cryer (3 for 10 field goals), Jamal Shead (1 for 6) and Emanuel Sharp (2 for 5) didn't shoot well the first 20 minutes.

The second twenty minutes was a different story.

After a bad pass which resulted in a turnover plus fouling a jump shooter, Shead went to the bench with 18:58 on the game clock. Houston led 35-33 at the time.

Moments later, Texas Tech guard Pop Isaacs converted a three-point play to tie Houston at 37.

Emanuel Sharp broke the tie with a three-point basket. J'Wan Roberts got the assist on Sharp's 3. Roberts played the first few minutes of the second half. His presence helped steady Houston's offense; however, Roberts only played 7 minutes in the game.

Shead sat on Houston's bench for 2 minutes. When he returned to action, he made 2 free throws; sank a step back jumper; assisted on a Mylik Wilson slam dunk; then dished to LJ Cryer for a corner 3.

Houston led 51-38 with 14:17 remaining.

Tech never recovered.

After Shead split 2 free throws, Houston's Ja'Vier Francis hustled after a loose ball and scored a layup before Cryer hit another three-pointer to boost Houston's lead to 57-38.

Houston led by 16 (59-43) when Shead swished a three-pointer to begin another 11-0 Houston run which boosted the Coogs' lead to 70-43 with 7:50 to go in the game.

The Coogs cruised to win number 30 on the season.

In the second half, Sharp scored 12 points on 3 for 5 three-point shooting and 3 for 3 from the foul line. Cryer scored 11 of his 20 points on 3 for 4 threes and 2 for 2 free throws. Cryer (6 for 11) and Sharp (4 for 8) combined to make 10 of Houston's 12 three-point baskets.

Francis scored 8 points on perfect 4 for 4 fgs. Francis finished the game with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals.

Shead 8 points and 6 assists in the second half to finish the game with 12 points and a game-high 10 assists.

Texas Tech shot 33.3 fg% (15 for 45) in the game compared to Houston's 49.2 fg% (29 for 59).

NEXT: Houston's next game is Saturday, March 16, in the title game of the 2024 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship.

Houston will face 2-seed Iowa State. Tip is set for 5 pm CT on ESPN.

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