Houston Cougars defeated Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders 82-50

 

Written by MAi' Ghen Storm | Photo credit: Oscar Herrera, SFL Staff Photographer

 

Houston Cougars defeated Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders 82-50 on Saturday. As a result, Roberts scored 17 points, while Cryer added 15 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, plus three assists to lead the Cougars (2-0), who struggled to shoot in the first half before opening the second with a dunk exhibition.

At the intermission, Houston led 41-27 after Cryer's 3-pointer capped a 16-6 run in the first half. With two dunks from Ja'Vier Francis (13 points), a third from Roberts, and a Cryer 3-pointer, the Cougars delivered a knockout blow almost immediately out of the locker room. The Cougars led 63-33 when Roberts dunked in transition with 11:32 left after Terrance Arceneaux (career-high eight rebounds) added a dunk.

In the second half, the Islanders (1-1) missed 11 of 12 shots. The Islanders shot 24.3 percent in the second half, falling victim to the Cougars' defense. Owen Dease buried a 3 at 13:35 to end that run of futility. A scoring drought followed Corpus Christi's early three-point lead on 4-of-7 shooting.

With Texas' offensive glass work, Cryer was able to convert second-chance free throws after Houston went on a 12-0 run. A Dease free throw at the 6:50 mark sparked a rally that ended with Ramon Walker Jr. hitting a 3-pointer.

Each team attempted 31 free throws during the foul-ridden first half. Due in large part to 13 offensive rebounds before halftime, Houston scored 11 points on nine Islanders turnovers.