Sasser and Roberts help Coogs defeat Hofstra in Overtime

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POSTED: November 10, 2021 -- 8:41 a.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Fertitta Center) -- The Houston Cougars clawed to a hard fought 83-75 come-from-behind win over the Hofstra Pride Tuesday night.

"I was worried about this game because how good their guards were," Kelvin Sampson, Houston Head Coach said after the game.

Houston (1-0) trailed for more than 36 minutes in the game as Hofstra (0-1) answered every run with key offensive rebounds and clutch three-point shooting. Houston trailed by as much as 13 points in the game; and, the Coogs trailed 66-57 with 3:49 remaining in the second half.

"We are going to struggle until we find an identity," Coach Sampson acknowledged. "Now, we found an identity in the last 6 minutes. We didn't have one the first 34. Was I surprised at that? Of course not."

Houston newcomer Taze Moore, transfer from Cal State Bakersfield, swished a three-pointer to cut Houston's deficit to 66-60. Then, Marcus Sasser scored a driving layup to bring the Coogs within 66-62 with 3 minutes remaining.

Next, Jamal Shead forced a turnover and scored a layup to pull Houston 2 points closer (66-64) with 2:45 on the clock. Hofstra guard Zach Cooks nailed a clutch three-pointer to slow Houston's momentum and boost Hofstra's lead to 69-64 with 2:25 left in the second half.

Sasser scored another driving layup to trim Houston's deficit to 69-66 with 2:03 on the clock. Neither team scored for more than 1 minute; then, with 50 seconds on the clock, Fabian White Jr missed a short jump hook in the paint, Houston's chances at a victory seemed doomed.

White blocked a shot attempt by Aaron Estrada. Hofstra tried to inbound the ball; but, Shead came up with a steal and raced up the court and dished to an open Taze Moore in the corner. Moore swished the game-tying three-point shot with 24 seconds left in the second half. Hofstra failed to get off a good shot. Overtime.

Sasser sank a corner three to begin the overtime and put Houston ahead 72-69. Houston's last lead before Sasser's basket happened at 3-2 with 18:45 remaining in the first half.

Shead banked in a three-pointer to boost Houston's lead to 75-71. Hofstra did not get any closer in the extra session as Houston pulled out the victory.

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"At the end of the day, I put the five guys on the court that on November 9, I trust," said Coach Sampson. "I trust J'Wan (Roberts). Now, the reason why he doesn't play as much as he should have is because Fabian (White Jr.) came back last year. The toughest guy on the court tonight without a doubt was J'Wan Roberts. He's why we won."

"The other reason we won is because of Marcus (Sasser)'s heart. These two guys have been through the wars."

Roberts snared 15 rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench for Houston. His energy and quickness helped spark Houston's comeback.

Roberts embraces his role as a rebounder for Houston.

"I have always had a knack for rebounding," Roberts said after the game. "I embrace my role."

Roberts added, "The more energy I bring off of the bench and the more rebounds I have; then, that can fuel a team, too. I just got to keep that motor."

After a poor shooting first half, Sasser scored 19 of his team-high 25 points in the second half and overtime.

"Just keep playing," Sasser commented. "I don't even know how many shots I missed; but, I know I wasn't making shots that was wide open. But, I stayed playing aggressive on the defensive end. Took the misses and put in the back of my head and tried to find ways to help winning."

Sasser summed up the comeback as a confidence boost for his teammates and proof the Houston Cougar Culture is very real.

"Coming back from 13, it shows that we have a lot of heart," Sasser said. "And, it shows the new guys that the Culture is real; and, that if you follow the culture you will get wins."

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