No. 3 Houston defends home floor, thumps Texas 82-61
After Tyrese Hunter sank a 3-pointer to tie the game at 17-17 with 11:03 left in the opening half, the Cougars outscored the Longhorns 23-10 the rest of the way to close the half with a 40-27 lead. Houston went on a 6-0 flurry over the final 0:53 to increase its lead in front of a raucous home crowd.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 3 Houston used a big surge near the end of the first half Saturday to run away with an 82-61 win over the Texas Longhorns at Fertitta Center.
After Tyrese Hunter sank a 3-pointer to tie the game at 17-17 with 11:03 left in the opening half, the Cougars outscored the Longhorns 23-10 the rest of the way to close the half with a 40-27 lead. Houston went on a 6-0 flurry over the final 0:53 to increase its lead in front of a raucous home crowd.
Houston's J'Wan Roberts, bottom, battles Texas' Tyrese Hunter, left, and Dylan Disu for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Texas' Dillon Mitchell (23) dunks the ball as Houston's Ja'Vier Francis (5) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Texas' Dillon Mitchell (23) dunks the ball as Houston's Ja'Vier Francis (5) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Houston's Emanuel Sharp (21) leaps over Texas' Dillon Mitchell during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Houston's Emanuel Sharp (21) falls as Texas's Dillon Mitchell, right, goes up for a shot against J'Wan Roberts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Texas' Dillon Mitchell (23) drives through the lane as Houston's Joseph Tugler (25) and J'Wan Roberts (13) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Texas' Max Abmas (3) goes up for a shot as Houston's Joseph Tugler, left, defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Houston's Emanuel Sharp (21) goes up for a shot against Texas during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Houston's Ramon Walker Jr., left, passes the ball as Texas' Chendall Weaver defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Houston fans cheer before the start of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Houston's Ja'Vier Francis (5) shoots as Texas' Dillon Mitchell (23) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. Houston won 82-61. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Houston's Jamal Shead (1) shoots as Texas' Brock Cunningham (30) and Kadin Shedrick defend during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. Houston won 82-61. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Houston's Jamal Shead (1) drives toward the basket as Texas' Brock Cunningham (30) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. Houston won 82-61. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Houston's L.J. Cryer, right, and Texas' Brock Cunningham reach for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. Houston won 82-61. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Houston's Joseph Tugler (25) is fouled by Texas' Dylan Disu (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. Houston won 82-61. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Houston's Emanuel Sharp (21) shoots as Texas's Kadin Shedrick (5) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. Houston won 82-61. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Houston's L.J. Cryer (4) shoots as Texas's Dylan Disu (1) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. Houston won 82-61. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Houston's Jamal Shead (1) celebrates after making a three-point basket against Texas during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. Houston won 82-61. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Houston's L.J. Cryer (4) defends against Texas' Chendall Weaver (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. Houston won 82-61. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 
Houston's J'Wan Roberts (13) celebrates during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Houston. Houston won 82-61. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston scored 19 points off 14 Texas turnovers and was led by LJ Cryer's 26 points on 9 of 13 shooting. Cryer was terrific from 3-point range, connecting on 6 of 9 attempts. Jamal Shead scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Emanuel Sharp chipped in 15 points for the Cougars.
Dylan Disu led Texas with 16 points while Chendall Weaver had 11. Houston came into the game as the best defensive team in Division I, allowing teams to score 57 points per game, and the Cougars held the Longhorns to 39% from the field. Texas guard Max Abmas had a tough game shooting, going 2 for 14 with just seven points. He's now six points away from scoring 3,000 in his collegiate career.
Houston outrebounded Texas 45-34 and shot almost 47% from the field with 13 steals on the defensive end. The win keeps Houston undefeated at home at 14-0, and they've won all their Big 12 home games by at least 15 points.
Texas (16-9, 5-7 Big 12) has a quick turnaround for its next game, taking on Kansas State on Monday at Moody Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.