Five Coogs score in double-digits in Houston's 87-57 win at K-State

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POSTED: January 12, 2025 -- 6:15 a.m. CT

MANHATTAN, KS -- Bramlage Coliseum

The Houston Cougars defeated the Kansas State Wildcats 87-57 Saturday evening with a balanced scoring attack combined with a solid effort on defense.

"Man, that team is really good," Jerome Tang, K-State Head Coach, said of Houston after the game. "This wasn't an effort issue. They're better than we are."

The Wildcats (7-8 overall, 1-3 in the Big 12) shot 40% from three (10 for 25) and still lost by 30 points.

K-State's Brendan Hausen sank a three-point basket for a 3-0 Wildcats lead. Hausen swished another three-pointer for a 6-2 lead.

Hausen made 5 of K-State's 10 three-point baskets in the game.

When K-State point guard Dug McDaniel hit his first three-pointer of the game, the Wildcats led Houston 9-5 with 16:35 on the clock.

Houston (12-3, 4-0) responded with a 7-0 run. Emanuel Sharp started the run with a deep three-pointer; then, Houston point guard Milos Uzan scored a jumper in the paint followed by a driving layup by LJ Cryer.

After K-State big man Ugonna Onyenso got a dunk for trim Houston's lead to 12-11, the Coogs answered with a 9-0 to increase the lead to 21-11. Houston's back up center, Ja'Vier Francis, made his impact during the run with 4 points from his 2 offensive rebounds. Sharp added another three-point splash during the run.

Houston led K-State 28-16 when Coleman Hawkins nailed a three-point basket; however, Houston responded with another big scoring run. Mylik Wilson hit a turnaround jumper to begin a 12-0 Houston blitz. Wilson added a driving layup. Sharp scored 4 points; LJ Cryer scored a layup; and starting center JoJo Tugler nailed 2 free throws.

Tugler (6 points and 5 rebounds) and Ja'Vier Francis (6 points and 5 rebounds) combined to dominate K-State's frontcourt.

Houston led K-State 46-24 at halftime.

The Wildcats trimmed Houston's led to 16 (50-34) 3 minutes into the second half; but, once again, Houston answered. Terrance Arceneaux scored 5 points during a quick 6-0 response.

K-State had its best stretch of the game with a 12-4 scoring spurt to slice Houston's lead to 14 (60-46) with 9:56 remaining in the ball game.

The Cougars put the Wildcats away with a 16-2 outburst in 5 minutes.

J'Wan Roberts scored six points during the decisive run -- including the 1000th point of his collegiate career. Roberts made 4 of his last 5 field goal attempts to finish with 10 points.

Emanuel Sharp scored 15 to lead the Coogs. JoJo Tugler contributed 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots. LJ Cryer scored 11 and Ja'Vier Francis added 11 points and 9 rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench.

Houston outscored K-State 20-1 in second chance points, 21-7 in points off turnovers, and 52-18 in the paint.

"If you look at points off turnovers and second chance points," Kelvin Sampson, Houston Head Coach, said after the game, "We're pretty good at that against most teams."

Next: Houston's next game is Wednesday, January 15, at home against the West Virginia Mountaineers. Tip is set for 7 pm CT on ESPN+.

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