Emanuel Sharp's 14 points leads Houston to 65-46 win over TCU

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POSTED: January 7, 2025 -- 7:58 a.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX -- Fertitta Center

The Houston Cougars defeated the TCU Horned Frogs 65-46 Monday night inside a chilly Fertitta Center. With the win, Houston improves to 11-3 overall and 3-0 in Big 12 play. Houston has won 7 in a row and 31 straight games inside Fertitta Center.

The Coogs made their first six shots of the game and jumped to a 15-4 lead. TCU (8-6, 1-2) weathered Houston's hot start and cut Houston's lead to 5 points (21-16) with 6:34 remaining in the first half.

"We got hit in the mouth early," Jamie Dixon, TCU Head Coach said after the game. "But, I like how we responded."

After Houston's white-hot start, the Coogs made just 6 of their final 23 field goal attempts in the half. Houston led 29-20 with 4 seconds remaining in the half; however, TCU point guard Noah Reynolds caught an inbounds pass; raced up the court; scored a layup and was fouled. Reynolds missed the foul shot. Houston led 29-22 at the half.

Houston's second-half start almost mirrored the first-half start. Houston graduate forward J'Wan Roberts missed a jump shot to open the half; however, the Coogs made their next 9 shots to lead 39-21 with 12:04 on the clock.

Sharp swished two 3-point shots during the hot shooting stretch. LJ Cryer swished a 3 to end the 9 consecutive made baskets. Cryer wasn't feeling well and battled through it to score 10 points in 25 minutes.

"LJ has been sick the last two days," Kelvin Sampson, Houston Head Coach said during the Coogs' postgame press conference. "We left it up to LJ whether he wanted to play. He wanted to play, and we gave it a go. It is not surprising because LJ is a tough kid."

J'Wan Roberts sank 3 baskets during Houston's 9-straight buckets. Houston made an adjustment in the offense to get the ball Roberts further from the basket and away from TCU's double-teams.

"In the second half, after we made some adjustments and saw how they were depending on the post," Coach Sampson said. So, instead of throwing the ball to J'Wan at the post, we threw it to him on a roll, and once he gets it on the roll, he can make a decision."

Mylik Wilson had another solid game for the Coogs off the bench. Wilson scored 9 points on 4 for 6 field goal shooting including 1 for 2 from three. He also added 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 18 minutes.

"Mylik wasn't a very good shooter when he got here and he'd be the first to tell you," Coach Sampson commented. "But, I am so proud of this young man. I am so proud of him because he has made himself into that shooter."

Wilson added, "Just putting in the work. I know the work that I put in over the summer and now. Just staying in the gym, having the confidence, and just shooting it. Just shoot it."

Emanuel Sharp scored 14 points to lead 3 Coogs in double-digit scoring. Sharp sank 4 of his 6 three-point shots. Sharp has now made 38 of his 78 three-point attempts this season for 48.7 3pt%

"I put up a lot of shots every day and being more disciplined with my shots," Sharp added. "Just staying in the gym like Mylik said. Everyday. We put up a lot of shots. Just staying in the gym and getting more focused on the smaller details of my shot."

TCU turned over the ball 19 times. Houston outscored TCU 16-9 in points off turnovers.

"We're getting turnovers now that we didn't get in November," Coach Sampson acknowledged. "We were a step late, or a stop short, or we were too early. Our defense is January defense."

Next: Houston's next game is Saturday, January 11, on the road against the Kansas State Wildcats. Tip is set for 5 pm CT on ESPN+.

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