The Coogs played their first exhibition game down under on Monday evening (Sydney Time), blowing out a local all-star team, 93-52. UH came out slow, as to be expected so soon after a long flight and early tourist attractions. Houston led 32-28 at the half.
But near the end of the 2nd quarter, UH Basketball started clicking. Watch this clip: the defense, the rejection, and LJ Cryer’s rebound. He then pushes it out to Jamal Shead for the transition, and Uno finds Cryer for the wide-open three.
The Cougars blew it open in the 3rd quarter, outscoring the All-Stars 36-9 in that 10-minute period.
Emanuel Sharp got it started in the 3rd, hitting a three from the left elbow, then he scored on an excellent inbound play to push the lead to nine (37-28). Two baskets at the rim, another three from the right side, and then Shead found a trailing Terrance Arceneaux for another three.
It was a 35-4 run by the Cougars where they played solid ball on both ends.
Cryer went 6/19 from the floor and finished with 16 points and four boards. Emanuel Sharp was 7/15 and had 17 points but also five boards. That was a point of concern for Kelvin Sampson after the scrimmage. Message received. Kelvin Sampson noted on Friday that Sharp had seven boards in the scrimmage part of the practice.
Joseph Tugler, who didn’t get a rebound in the Red & White, had seven in the game and 10 points.
Mylik Wilson had 12 points off the bench on 6/6 shooting and added four assists and three boards. Mylik has played well in both the scrimmage and exhibition.
UH dominated on points off turnovers (33-7) and from the bench (42-17). Box Score
The Cougars play the Australian National Team Wednesday at 10 a.m. Sydney time (7 p.m. Tuesday in Houston). That game will not be live-streamed – it is Australia Team’s last exhibition before their three-game FIBA World Cup warmup games in Melbourne. Believe it is the National Team that does not want a live stream to aid opponents’ scouting.
UH will fly 1500 miles to Cairns, Queensland, on Tuesday for that exhibition (where the National Team has been training). After the game, the National Team will leave for Melbourne to trim their squad from 15 to 12, while UH will stay in Cairns and visit the Great Barrier Reef.
Take it away, John Madden:
Full coverage of UH’s trip to Australia
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