Houston's defense stifles 16th-ranked Wichita State in 65-54 road win

POSTED: January 18, 2020 -- 5:50 p.m. CT

WICHITA, KS (Charles Koch Arena) -- The Houston Cougars never trailed Saturday afternoon in a 65-54 road win over the 16th-ranked Wichita State Shockers.

Houston (14-4 overall, 4-1 in American Athletic Conference) led 25-24 before finishing the first half with a 10-1 run to lead 35-25 at halftime.

Then, Houston scored the first 12 points of the second half to lead 47-25 with 14:30 remaining in the second half.

Wichita State (15-3, 3-2) missed 9 consecutive field goals to start the second half. The Shockers were scoreless until Jamarius Burton sank 2 free throws with 13:11 on the clock.

After a Brison Gresham slam dunk, Houston led 49-27; but, Wichita State's Grant Sherfield sank a three-point shot to end the Shockers' field goal drought. Next, after a Houston turnover, Wichita States' Erik Stevenson swished a three-pointer to trim Houston's lead to 16 (49-33) with 11:24 on the clock.

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Houston led 53-35 before the Shockers scored 5 straight points to pull within 13 points.

DeJon Jarreau made 2 free throws to increase Houston's lead to 15.

Houston's Fabian White Jr sank a jump shot for a 59-45 lead with 3:13 remaining in the ball game.

Wichita State got as close as 9 points in the closing minutes; however, despite not making another field goal in the final 3:13, Houston sealed the win at the line as DeJon Jarreau (4/4) and Quentin Grimes (2/2) combined for a perfect 6 for 6 free throw shooting.

Fabian White Jr scored game-high 14 points.

DeJon Jarreau next with 12 points on 3 for 8 field goal shooting and 6 for 6 on free throws. Jarreau also had 10 boards and 6 assists.

10 points each for Quentin Grimes and freshman guard Marcus Sasser.

The Shockers shot 8 for 28 in the first half and 9 for 28 in the second half for just 30.4 fg% in the ball game.

Houston made 11 of 26 shots in the first half and 10 of 23 shots in the second half for 42.9 fg%.

Houston's next game is Thursday, January 23, at home, versus the UConn Huskies. Tip time is set for 8 p.m. ESPNU will broadcast the game.

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