Emanuel Sharp, Ja'Vier Francis and Houston's defense topples Texas State

Support The HRR | HRR business directory

POSTED: December 21, 2023 -- 11:33 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX -- (Fertitta Center)

The Houston Cougars defeated the Texas State Bobcats 72-37 Thursday night to improve to 12-0 this season. Houston's defense, once again, led the way. The Coogs' defense picked up 14 steals; and, Texas State committed 27 turnovers -- 16 in the first half.

Texas State (6-6) came into the game averaging 13.2 turnovers per game.

"Our defense was really good in the first half, and even better in the second half," Kelvin Sampson, Houston Head Coach said to open Houston's post-game press conference. "It is hard to hold teams like this to 37 points. Thirty-seven points, that's hard to do then to make a team have 27 turnovers, and to do it in 40 minutes."

Houston's offense went through cold spells in the first half: the Coogs missed 6 consecutive shot attempts and made just 1 of 11 at one point. Nearly nine minutes into the game, Houston (3 for 14) and Texas State (1 for 6) combined to make only 4 of 20 field goal attempts.

Houston led Texas 11-2 with 11:42 remaining in the first half.

The Coogs led 29-18 at halftime. Houston shot 37.0 fg% (10 for 27) in the half while Texas State shot 35.0 fg% (7 for 20).

No players -- from either team -- scored more than 7 points in the first half.

Houston freshman big man JoJo Tugler started the second half in place of veteran J'Wan Roberts. Roberts suffered a right thigh contusion late in the first half and didn't play the rest of the game.

"Yeah, it's not his knee. It's just precautionary. (But) His knee has been bugging him for about three weeks; and, you know it's not going to get any better. It's one of those things that it isn't bad enough where he won't play.

"I started JoJo in the second half, and right away at the four he goes and gets a couple offensive rebounds and put backs."

Houston guard Emanuel Sharp only made 2 of his 10 field goal attempts; but, he did go a perfect 12 for 12 from the foul line to lead Houston in scoring with 17 points.

"They were the same shots he had the last two games," Coach Sampson commented. "He just didn't make them tonight."

Ja'Vier Francis made all 5 of his field goal attempts and was second to Sharp in scoring with 13 points in the game. Francis also grabbed 6 rebounds.

"We made a real concerted effort," Coach Sampson acknowledged. "And, Ja'Vier has really improved on the goal post; his best days are way ahead of him."

With the win, senior point guard Jamal Shead also competed in the 100th win of his collegiate career. He became only the fourth Cougar in school history to reach that milestone, joining Fabian White Jr. (121-28 record, 2017-22); Michael Young (109-25 record, 1980-84) and Galen Robinson Jr. (103-33, 2015-19).

Support The HRR

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