No. 1 Houston secured at least a share of the regular-season Big 12 title in their first season in the conference with a hard-fought 67-59 victory over UCF on Wednesday night. L.J. Cryer was the standout performer for the Cougars, scoring 19 of his 25 points in the second half to lead the comeback.
Houston, a dominant force in college basketball, has now claimed either a conference tournament or regular-season title for six consecutive seasons, showcasing their consistent winning culture.
The Cougars faced a tough challenge against UCF, trailing by as many as seven points in the first half and not taking the lead until the second half. However, their resilient defense and clutch shooting propelled them to victory.
Key contributions came from Jamal Shead, who finished with 16 points and eight assists, and J’Wan Roberts, who added 12 points and seven rebounds to the winning effort.
Cryer's stellar performance, shooting 9 of 17 from the floor and hitting crucial shots down the stretch, was instrumental in Houston's triumph. His confidence in taking shots, regardless of making or missing, paid off as he delivered when it mattered most.
UCF put up a strong fight, with C.J. Walker leading their scoring with 15 points, but ultimately fell short against Houston's suffocating defense and efficient scoring.
Looking ahead, Houston can clinch an outright conference title with a win in their upcoming game against No. 14 Kansas. On the other hand, UCF aims to secure one more win to finish above .500 and position themselves for a potential bid to the NIT.
Both teams have crucial matchups in their final regular-season games, with Houston hosting Kansas and UCF closing out against TCU on Saturday.
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