Milos Uzan led 4 Coogs in double-digit scoring in 78-40 rout of 16-seed of SIUE

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UPDATED: March 20, 2025 -- 11:46 p.m. CT

POSTED: March 20, 2025 -- 4:30 p.m. CT

WICHITA, KS -- Intrust Arena

The Houston Cougars, the top-seed in the Midwest Region defeated the 16-seed SIU-Edwardsville (SIUE) Cougars 78-40 in a first-round game of the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Division I Tournament.

Milos Uzan led Houston with a game-high 16 point. Uzan made 6 of his 7 field goal attempts -- including 2 for 2 on three-pointers -- and added 3 rebounds and 3 assists. LJ Cryer was next with 15 points and 4 assists. Cryer made 4 of his 9 three-point attempts.

Houston's back-up center, Ja'Vier Francis, was outstanding with 13 points and 8 rebounds. Francis was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals and 5 for 6 on free throws. Terrance Arceneaux added 10 points and 4 rebounds. Francis and Arceneaux helped Houston's bench mob outscore SIUE's reserves 33-12.

Houston (31-4 overall) trailed 2-0 before Uzan and J'Wan Roberts each scored 4 points during a 14-4 spurt to lead 14-6 five minutes into the game. Uzan scored 5 more points during a 10-2 blitz as Houston stretched its lead to 24-8 with 10:46 left in the opening half.

Cryer and Francis got into the scoring act as Houston's lead ballooned to 40-18 with 4:29 remaining in the half. Cryer swished 2 three-pointers in the closing minutes of the half -- including a buzzer-beater -- to give Houston a commanding 52-24 halftime lead.

In the second half, Houston cruised to the opening-round win. Houston out-rebounded SIUE 50-27 and outscored SIUE 15-3 in points off turnovers.

Next: Houston's next game will be in the Round of 32 of the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Houston will face the 8-seed Gonzaga Bulldogs on Saturday, March 22. Tip-off is set for 7:40 pm CT and TNT will broadcast the game.

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