LJ Cryer scores 20 to lead Coogs to 73-64 win over Cincinnati and clinch outright Big 12 regular season title

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POSTED: March 2, 2025 -- 5:21 a.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX -- Fertitta Center

Saturday afternoon, the Houston Cougars defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats 73-64 to clinch the outright 2024-25 Big 12 Conference regular season championship. Houston guard LJ Cryer scored 20 points to lead the Coogs to the victory.

LJ Cryer is the 24th player to be a part of four Big 12 regular season championship teams, having previously helped Baylor to the top of the standings in 2020-21 and 2021-22 before earning trophies the past two seasons in Houston. It is the third Big 12 title for Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, who previously won a share of the 2004-05 title at Oklahoma.

"This one is special because it's this year's team," Coach Sampson said during the postgame celebration.

With the win, Houston (25-4 overall, 17-1 in the Big 12) becomes the just the fourth Conference program to win back-to-back regular season titles, joining Baylor, Iowa State and Kansas.

Houston missed 7 consecutive field goals and trailed the Bearcats 10-2 after Cincinnati (17-12, 7-11) scored 10 straight points. Coach Sampson called timeout; and, after the timeout, Cryer sank a turnaround jumper in the paint which kick started a 14-0 Houston run. Six different Coogs scored during the run.

During the first half, Houston had 2 segments of perfect shooting combining to go 12 for 12 to erase the early deficit. After trailing 10-2, Houston outscored Cincinnati 35-15 the final 13:28 of the first half to lead 37-25 at halftime. Cryer scored 8 first half points to lead Houston.

The Coogs outscored the Bearcats 15-2 in points off turnovers and 24-6 in the paint in the first half.

Cincinnati guards Day Day Thomas and Jizzle James attacked Houston's defense early in the second half and combined for 13 points to trim Houston's lead to 48-38 with 14:42 remaining in the second half.

After a Houston timeout, Terrance Arceneaux back-to-back baskets to boost Houston's lead to 52-38. Arceneaux finished the game with 10 points on 5 for 7 field goal shooting.

Houston stretched the lead to 65-46 when LJ Cryer nailed a step back three-pointer with 6:56 remaining in the game.

Cincinnati began to pressure Houston with aggressive double teams in the backcourt which gave Houston troubles for the second consecutive game.

Cryer (2) and backcourt mate, Milos Uzan (2), combined for 4 of Houston's 5 turnovers in the last 5:42 of the game.

Cryer was a perfect 4-for-4 at the free throw line, in the last 50 seconds, to seal Houston's win.

With his two free throws with 50 seconds remaining, Cryer moved into Houston's career 1,000-Point Club. Cryer joined the 1,000-Point Club in the 57th game of his Cougar career. He stands as the 13th-fastest player to reach that milestone.

Eight Coogs played in the game. All 8 scored at least 6 points. Arceneaux (10), guard Mylik Wilson (8 points) and center Ja'Vier Francis (6 points) combined for Houston's 24 points off the bench. Houston shot 30 for 56 (53.6 fg%) in the game compared to 26 for 59 (44.1 fg%) for Cincinnati.

"Winning never gets old," Cryer said after the game. "I play the game to win. That's what Houston is about. This will never get old."

Next: Houston's next game is scheduled for Monday, March 3, vs Kansas. Tip is set for 8 pm CT on ESPN.

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