Coogs grind out 69-59 road win over Colorado

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POSTED: February 8, 2025 -- 9:35 p.m. CT

BOULDER, CO -- CU Events Center

The Houston Cougars defeated the Colorado Buffaloes, 69-59, on the road Saturday afternoon. Houston (19-4 overall, 11-1 in the Big 12) improves to a perfect 6-0 on the road in conference play.

"We're 6 and 0 on the road and 11 and 1 in the conference," Kelvin Sampson, Houston Men's Basketball Head Coach, said after the game. "We're lucky we're that. We're very fortunate."

The Coogs scored the first 9 points of the game and increased their lead to 11 (14-3) six minutes into the game. Colorado (9-14, 0-12) got hot from three-point range and went on an 11-0 run to tie the game at 14. The Buffs hit three-consecutive 3-point shots during the run.

Houston graduate guard LJ Cryer scored 5 points during a 6-0 spurt; however, Colorado guard Julian Hammond III hit a three-pointer to slice Houston's lead in half (20-17) with 8:18 remaining in the first half.

Houston led by 7 and by 8 in the half; but, Colorado kept coming back.

The Buffs cut Houston's lead to 3 on two occasions before Milos Uzan, Houston's starting point guard, scored 5 straight points for a 31-23 Houston lead.

The Coogs failed to score the last 3 plus minutes of the half while the Buffs scored 2 layups to cut Houston's lead to 31-27 at halftime.

LJ Cryer scored 12 points in the first half to lead Houston. Milos Uzan added 8 points and J'Wan Roberts scored 6 points.

Roberts scored a layup for the first points in the second half. Hammond III answered with another 3-point basket; but, Terrance Arceneaux and Cryer each hit a three-pointer to increase the lead 9 (39-30) with 17:36 left in the ball game.

Hammond swished 2 more three-point attempts to slice Houston's lead to 39-36 with 14:44 left in the game.

Roberts scored 7 of Houston's next 9 points to increase the Coogs' lead to 48-39 with 10:04 on the clock.

Hammond III swished his fifth three-pointer of the game; then, his teammate, CU big man, Bangot Dak swished a three-pointer to cut Houston's lead to 3 again.

Houston's lead was cut to 2 (54-52); then, Arceneaux scored a driving layup and Mylik Wilson followed with a steal and dank to for a 58-52 lead.

The Buffs pulled within 4 twice over the next minute. Houston led 60-56 when Roberts split 2 free throws. Houston forced a shot clock violation against the Buffs. Then, Roberts scored layups on back-to-back possessions to increase Houston's lead to 9 (65-56) with just under 2 minutes to go in the game.

Houston's defense clamped down the last 4 minutes and limited Colorado to just 3 points the last 3:40 of the ball game.

Roberts scored 20 points to lead 4 Coogs in double-digit scoring. Arceneaux and Cryer scored 15 points a piece. Milos Uzan added 12 points. JoJo Tugler grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.

"Kudos to Colorado's kids," Coach Sampson commented. "Kudos to Tad (CU Head Coach Tad Boyle) and his coaching staff. They're fighting their butts off. There's a lot to be said about that."

"I'm proud of our kids today," Coach Sampson continued. "On a day when things don't really go your way - and they're (Colorado) throwing in some tough shots at the end of shot clocks - down the stretch, we kinda knew how we wanted to finish the game."

"We've got a big one on Monday; and, we've already moved onto that one."

Next: Houston's next game is scheduled for Monday, February 10, vs Baylor. Tip is set for 8 pm CT on ESPN.

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