HOUSTON – Emanuel Sharp contributed significantly with 18 points, while L.J. Cryer supported the team with 17 points, leading No. 15 Houston to a decisive 87-51 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday. This win marks Houston’s fourth consecutive victory this season.
Sharp’s performance was particularly notable in the first half, where he managed to score 15 points, helping Houston to lead 46-27 at halftime. The Cougars demonstrated strong shooting statistics, posting an impressive 61% from the field and hitting 8 of 13 from beyond the arc. By the end of the game, Houston rounded off with a shooting percentage of 49%, successfully sinking a season-high 14 of 29 three-point attempts.
Terrance Arceneaux added 13 points to the scoreboard, and Milos Uzan contributed 12 points along with six assists, showcasing the broad talent within the team as the Cougars extended their remarkable home winning streak to 29 games—the best in the nation. For the Islanders, Garry Clark led with 17 points and nine rebounds, and Damarion Dennis chipped in with 10 points. However, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi struggled, shooting only 32% overall.
In terms of takeaways from the game, the Islanders displayed some resilience against Houston’s post-game size but ultimately found themselves outmatched by the Cougars’ speed and perimeter shooting capabilities. In Houston, the strength of their bench was evident, especially since starting forward J’Wan Roberts was sidelined with an injury, and reserve guard Ramon Walker Jr. was recovering from hand surgery, which is projected to keep him off the court until late January.
A key moment in the contest occurred early when Houston began the game with a 7-of-9 shooting spree, including 4 of 6 from three-point range, allowing them to establish an 18-6 lead thanks to a Cryer three-pointer at the 13-minute mark. The Cougars maintained a lead of no less than six points throughout the remainder of the game.
An important statistic highlighted Houston’s dominance; they forced 13 turnovers and enjoyed a substantial 27-8 advantage in points scored off these turnovers, which significantly influenced the game’s outcome.
Looking ahead, Houston is set to visit Oklahoma State on December 30 to commence their Big 12 conference schedule, while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi will host Schreiner on December 29.