Houston uses big run to pull away from UTEP in 77-57 win Thursday night

POSTED: December 19, 2019 -- 11:28 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Fertitta Center) -- The Houston Cougars defeated the UTEP Miners 77-57 Thursday night inside Fertitta Center.

Houston led 44-30 early in the second half then led 52-41 with 9:40 remaining in the game before UTEP went on an 8-2 run to get within 54-49.

The Miners trimmed Houston's lead to 54-49 with 7:50 remaining in the second half. However, after scoring a layup, UTEP guard Souley Boum taunted Houston's DeJon Jarreau and referee Teddy Valentine called a technical foul on Boum.

Nate Hinton went to the line to shoot the technical foul shots. Hinton made both free throws which began a 16-0 run to blow the game wide open. Houston outscored UTEP 23-8 in the final 7:50 of the ball game.

After the game, Jarreau described what happened.

"He (Boum) screamed in my face," Jarreau explained. "But, I'm learning and getting better. I didn't react. He got the tech. Coach called me to the sideline and said, ‘Dejon they're within five, get us going, not on offense, get us going on defense’. So, I just tried my best to gather us together, said a few words, then we took off and the rest was history."

Jarreau dished out three of his game-high 9 assists during the 16-0 blitz. He also pulled down 3 rebounds; scored 2 points (slam dunk in transition); and got 1 steal during the 4 minute demolition of the Miners.

"Second half tonight was the best Dejon has played since last season," Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson said after the game.

Jarreau finished the game with 7 points and 9 assists in 21 minutes plus. Off the bench. Jarreau started 7 of Houston's previous 9 games; but, Coach Sampson decided to bring Jarreau off the bench to help Jarreau get more comfortable and regain confidence.

"I think my main reason for doing it was to get DeJon more comfortable," Coach Sampson commented regarded bringing DeJon off the bench. "DeJon doesn't have an ego; so, taking him out of the starting line-up and keeping him on the bench wasn't hard for him because he just cares about winning. Immature guys pout, but mature guys want to win and don't care (whether they start or come off the bench). I respect DeJon and I brought him in and told him what I was going to do; and, he responded the way I thought he would."

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Jarreau said his performance tonight reminded him of his role as sixth man on last season's team.

"I'd say it felt exactly like last year," Jarreau acknowledged. "Coming off the bench, bringing energy, being a point guard and trying to run a team and bring us together. If we're losing, I can come and bring energy, or if we're winning, I can help keep the same energy. I just felt comfortable."

In addition to Jarreau's stellar showing Thursday night, Houston big man Brison Gresham was exceptional.

"Brison was a horse in there," Sampson said. "Six offensive rebounds, six defensive rebounds, and six blocked shots, that's pretty impressive and I think that's the best we've had anyone play this year."

Gresham's 12 rebounds and six blocked shots tonight are career-highs in both categories. He also scored 10 points. All of his production came in 26 minutes and 26 seconds.

"I'd say it was the way I practiced the last few days," Gresham commented. "I feel like my energy from practice got brought over to the court."

Houston (7-3) led UTEP 37-27 at halftime. Houston's Caleb Mills, in his first collegiate start, scored 9 of his 17 points in the first half.

Scoring is not a problem for Mills. His defense needs work; but, as Coach Sampson said, "He's getting better and learning how to play."

Nate Hinton finished the game with 17 points and 10 rebounds for his fifth double-double this season.

"Nate Hinton is one of those guys who is easy to take for granted because he does it every night," Coach Sampson commented. "What's most impressive about Nate is that he had 17 points and only took six shots (4 for 6 fgs overall including 3 for 4 threes). His efficiency was good; and, he didn't force anything."

Houston's next game is Sunday, December 22, in Honolulu, versus the Portland Pilots, as part of the 2019 Diamond Head Classic. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPNU.

"Don't get too excited over this Hawaii thing fellas," Sampson continued. "We're going to play in a tournament. It doesn't matter if you're in Manila or Ames, Iowa, or Hawaii, we're playing three games in four days and flying back. But it is a great opportunity for us to grow as a team. We just have to keep growing. The season doesn't end in November or December. "We have a lot of basketball in front of us and a lot of room for improvement."

NOTE:

Coach Sampson provided some info on guard Quentin Grimes' health issues.

"Quentin has been really bothered by an injury. It's really affecting his play, he's been in and out of practice a lot. He had an MRI and a CAT scan yesterday morning. He’s got two or three different issues going on, one in his lower leg, one in on the bottom of his foot. Usually if it's the bottom of the foot, it tells you it might be plantar fasciitis. I'm not sure if that's it, but he's been struggling in practice. When he struggles, I always tell him to get out. I don't expect anyone to play with an injury, I expect them to play with pain. Some kids have a high opinion of pain, some kids have a low opinion of pain."

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