Coogs crush Coppin State, 75-44

Posted: December 23, 2018 -- 6:53 p.m. CST

HOUSTON, TX (Fertitta Center) -- The Houston Cougars took care of business Sunday afternoon with a 75-44 victory of the Coppin State Eagles. Houston improves to 12-0 with the win while the Eagles stay winless (0-14) this season.

Houston senior guard Corey Davis Jr knocked down his first two 3-point shots during a 10-6 start for the Coogs. Houston led Coppin State 10-6 at the first media timeout (15:35) of the ball game.

Houston committed six turnovers in the first 6:57 of the game which led to a 30-second timeout called by Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson. Houston led 11-9 at the timeout. After the timeout, Davis Jr made another three-point shot as Houston scored five straight points to lead 16-9. Houston stretched the lead to 24-13 with 7:45 left in the first half. At that point of the game, Houston had 7 assists on 9 baskets but also 7 turnovers.

"We were probably careless a couple of times," Davis Jr said after the game.

Houston only turned the ball over 1 more time the rest of the half and led 37-22 at halftime.

Davis Jr scored 11 points and pulled down 5 boards 15 first half minutes while Breaon Brady added 9 points and 3 rebounds in 8 minutes, 42 seconds.

The Coogs scored the first six points of the second half. Despite a few scoring droughts, Houston's defense limited the Eagles to 6 for 32 field goal shooting in the second half; and, once Houston began making shots the lead ballooned to as much as 31 points.

Corey Davis Jr finished the game with a game-high 16 pts. Breaon Brady scored 13; and, Armoni Brooks scored 10.

"We wanted to establish Breaon (Brady) inside without me calling something," Coach Sampson said after the game. "I can call and direct the ball to him, but in our natural flow. Our guys were really good tonight with our ball movement. We were really good with our pace."

Houston out-rebounded Coppin State 53-39 and outscored the Eagles 36-8 in the paint.

Houston's last few home games have taken place during finals (in the classroom) and the Christmas break. Davis Jr says balancing practice, games, and academics this month hasn't been difficult.

"Coach Sampson keeps us focused every day," Davis Jr commented. "We love coming here; working every day; and getting better. We're having an amazing season; so, it is just adding on to the fun that we're having. We all want to go home, join our families and enjoy the Christmas break, but we know we've got business to handle here. That is all we are focusing on.”

Today's win extends Houston's home winning streak to 25 which is now the longest active home-win streak in NCAA Division I college basketball.

"It means a lot to know that we can come and take care of our home court," Davis Jr acknowledged. "It always puts an extra boost in us. It helps that we are winning all of our games, because for sure we make sure that we take care of business at home. We definitely put an emphasis on that."

NOTES:

Houston took over the longest home winning streak Saturday night when Montana beat South Dakota State to end the Jackrabbits' home streak at 26.

NEXT:

Houston's next game is Saturday, December 29, versus NJIT, at 3 p.m. The game is the 5th of a 7-game homestand for Houston:

LSU (December 12); Saint Louis (December 16); Utah State (December 20); Coppin State (December 23); NJIT (December 29); Tulsa (January 2); and Memphis (January 6).

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