WACO, Texas – L.J. Cryer delivered an impressive performance, scoring 23 points and hitting six from beyond the arc, as Houston, the reigning Big 12 champions and currently ranked third in the nation, claimed their 10th straight victory by defeating Baylor 65-61 on Saturday night. This victory marked the end of their regular season on a high note.
J’Wan Roberts contributed significantly for the Cougars with a double-double, securing 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Roberts also calmly sank two crucial free throws with just 13 seconds left on the clock. Milos Uzan added 12 points to the tally, while Emanuel Sharp chipped in with 11.
The Cougars managed to secure this win despite not scoring a single field goal after Sharp’s three-pointer extended their lead to 58-48 with just over six minutes left to play. Houston boasts an impressive 14-game road winning streak, which is currently the best in the nation, and they remain undefeated away in Big 12 Conference matchups.
Baylor, which holds an 18-13 record with 10-10 in conference play, initially led at halftime, 29-26, and even extended their lead to seven points in the second half before Houston staged a 20-4 scoring burst that secured their victory.
For the Bears, freshman guard VJ Edgecombe stood out by scoring 23 points. Unfortunately for Baylor, this loss is part of a recent slump that includes defeats in four of their last six games.
Another standout performance came from Norchad Omier, who recorded 13 points and an impressive 16 rebounds, marking his 87th career double-double. This achievement aligns him with Tim Duncan’s record at Wake Forest and places him second in NCAA history behind Tom Gola’s 96 double-doubles for La Salle in the 1950s.
In terms of takeaways, Houston continues to demonstrate consistent excellence with at least 27 victories for the fifth consecutive season under coach Kelvin Sampson. Furthermore, J’Wan Roberts joins an elite group of Houston players, including Elvin Hayes, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Greg Anderson, by reaching the milestones of 1,000 career rebounds and 1,000 points.
As for Baylor, this marks the first time they have finished with a non-winning conference record since concluding 8-10 in the Big 12 during the 2017-18 season.
A pivotal moment in the game was Ja’Vier Francis’ baseline dunk eight minutes into the second half, handing Houston their first lead since midway through the opening half.
Cryer, who was part of Baylor’s championship team in 2021, showcased his shooting prowess by making his first six three-pointers, with his first miss not occurring until early in the second half.
The teams now turn their attention to the Big 12 Tournament held in Kansas City. Houston is positioned with a double-bye and will advance directly into the quarterfinals on Thursday. Baylor, occupying the No. 7 seed, will compete in a second-round matchup on Wednesday.
