LJ Cryer's clutch 3s key No. 6 Houston's win over Utah in Charleston Classic
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) Houston coach Kelvin Sampson knows there's plenty of work ahead for his sixth-ranked Cougars, even though they keep winning.
LJ Cryer scored 14 points, including a pair of 3-pointers after Utah had wiped out No. 6 Houston’s 14-point lead, and the Cougars beat the Utes 76-66 on Friday to reach the Charleston Classic championship game.
"My kids found a way to win. We didn’t shoot the ball well tonight. We didn’t make free throws," Sampson said. “Sometimes the culture of your program, your DNA, knows how to win games like this.”
The Cougars shot 33% on 3s (8 of 24) and made only half of their 24 free throws. Still, they used the late rally to improve to 5-0 for the second straight season and reach the title game against Dayton on Sunday night.
“We're still finding our way,” Sampson said. “But a game like today is what tournament play is about. You've got to get outside the box.”
The Utes trailed 50-36 in the second half before Gabe Madsen hit three of his eight 3-pointers during a 20-6 run to tie it at 56-all with seven minutes left.
Terrance Arceneaux broke the tie with a bucket before Cryer, a Baylor transfer, hit two from beyond the arc to put the Cougars ahead 64-58.
Utah would not rally again.
Madsen finished with a career-high 29 points for Utah (3-1), and Branden Carlson scored 17.
Emanuel Sharp led the Cougars with 15 points, and Jamal Shead had 14. J'Wan Roberts had his first double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Utah was coming off a 77-70 win over Wake Forest in Thursday's opening round that included a career-high 31 points from Carlson.
The Utes were ahead 16-15 on Carlson's basket with 12:14 to go. Houston responded with a 24-14 run the rest of the half to lead 39-30 at the break.
BIG PICTURE
Utah: The Utes' size will give Pac-12 teams plenty of fits this season. They feature a pair of 7-footers in Carlson and Lawson Lovering and have eight players at 6-foot-7 or taller. Houston's speed and defense kept Utah from taking full advantage of its size.
Houston: The Cougars are breaking in new players, including Cryer, who helped Baylor to a national title as a freshman. Sampson said he was drawing up plays down the stretch because of all the new faces who are unfamiliar with the Cougar way. Playing three games in four days - the tournament takes Saturday off in deference to college football - should help the bonding process.
ON THE ROAD
Houston's Sampson quipped that it would be his team's “first true road game” on Sunday because of the loud, large group of Dayton supporters who filled the College of Charleston's arena. The Flyers and Cougars are both trying for their first Charleston title. Dayton has finished sixth and fifth in two previous appearances. This is Houston's first time at the eight-team tournament.
LONG TIME COMING
These teams met only once previously, back in December 1982 at the Suntory Ball Tournament in Tokyo when Houston’s Phi Slama Jama was in full flight. and led by Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. Olajuwon had 30 points and 18 rebounds in the 82-57 victory.
Utah and Houston won't wait another 41 years before playing again. Both will be Big 12 Conference members next season.
UP NEXT
Utah will take on St. John's in the third-place game Sunday.
Houston faces the Flyers, who defeated St. John's 88-81 earlier Friday to advance.
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Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
20:00 | J'wan Roberts vs. Gabe Madsen (Cougars gains possession) | |||
19:45 | Cole Bajema blocks Damian Dunn's two point jump shot | |||
19:43 | Branden Carlson defensive rebound | |||
19:22 | +3 | Branden Carlson makes three point jump shot (Rollie Worster assists) | 0-3 | |
19:03 | +2 | J'wan Roberts makes two point layup (Damian Dunn assists) | 2-3 | |
18:44 | Rollie Worster misses two point layup | |||
18:42 | LJ Cryer defensive rebound | |||
18:33 | LJ Cryer misses two point jump shot | |||
18:31 | Utes defensive rebound | |||
18:00 | Cole Bajema offensive foul (Damian Dunn draws the foul) | |||
18:00 | Cole Bajema turnover (offensive foul) | |||
17:49 | Jamal Shead misses three point jump shot | |||
17:47 | Cole Bajema defensive rebound | |||
17:40 | Branden Carlson turnover (bad pass) (Jamal Shead steals) | |||
17:33 | LJ Cryer misses three point jump shot | |||
17:31 | J'wan Roberts offensive rebound | |||
17:23 | +2 | J'wan Roberts makes two point layup | 4-3 | |
17:14 | +3 | Branden Carlson makes three point jump shot (Rollie Worster assists) | 4-6 | |
17:03 | Jamal Shead turnover (bad pass) (Gabe Madsen steals) | |||
16:53 | +2 | Gabe Madsen makes two point dunk | 4-8 | |
16:43 | J'wan Roberts misses two point jump shot | |||
16:41 | Lawson Lovering defensive rebound | |||
16:31 | +2 | Lawson Lovering makes two point dunk (Gabe Madsen assists) | 4-10 | |
16:30 | Cougars 30 second timeout | |||
16:30 | TV timeout | |||
16:06 | Emanuel Sharp misses two point jump shot | |||
16:04 | Branden Carlson defensive rebound | |||
15:56 | Gabe Madsen misses three point jump shot | |||
15:54 | Gabe Madsen offensive rebound | |||
15:49 | Gabe Madsen misses two point jump shot | |||
15:47 | Mylik Wilson defensive rebound | |||
15:35 | Mylik Wilson misses three point jump shot | |||
15:33 | Branden Carlson defensive rebound | |||
15:26 | J'wan Roberts shooting foul (Branden Carlson draws the foul) | |||
15:26 | Branden Carlson misses regular free throw 1 of 3 | |||
15:26 | +1 | Branden Carlson makes regular free throw 2 of 3 | 4-11 | |
15:26 | +1 | Branden Carlson makes regular free throw 3 of 3 | 4-12 | |
15:10 | +2 | J'wan Roberts makes two point jump shot | 6-12 | |
14:53 | Mylik Wilson personal foul (Rollie Worster draws the foul) | |||
14:41 | Gabe Madsen misses three point jump shot | |||
14:39 | J'wan Roberts defensive rebound | |||
14:23 | Ben Carlson shooting foul (J'wan Roberts draws the foul) | |||
14:23 | J'wan Roberts misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | |||
14:23 | +1 | J'wan Roberts makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 7-12 | |
14:11 | Ben Carlson misses three point jump shot | |||
14:09 | Gabe Madsen offensive rebound | |||
13:59 | Jamal Shead shooting foul (Rollie Worster draws the foul) | |||
13:59 | +1 | Rollie Worster makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 7-13 | |
13:59 | +1 | Rollie Worster makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 7-14 | |
13:44 | +2 | Joseph Tugler makes two point dunk (LJ Cryer assists) | 9-14 | |
13:33 | Joseph Tugler personal foul (Lawson Lovering draws the foul) | |||
13:32 | Rollie Worster turnover (bad pass) (Joseph Tugler steals) | |||
13:25 | LJ Cryer misses three point jump shot | |||
13:23 | Terrance Arceneaux offensive rebound | |||
13:20 | +3 | Jamal Shead makes three point jump shot (Terrance Arceneaux assists) | 12-14 | |
13:02 | Lawson Lovering turnover (bad pass) (Jamal Shead steals) | |||
12:57 | +3 | Terrance Arceneaux makes three point jump shot (Jamal Shead assists) | 15-14 | |
12:47 | Utes 30 second timeout | |||
12:38 | Hunter Erickson turnover (bad pass) (Emanuel Sharp steals) | |||
12:32 | Rollie Worster shooting foul (Joseph Tugler draws the foul) | |||
12:32 | Joseph Tugler misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | |||
12:32 | Joseph Tugler misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | |||
12:32 | Cole Bajema defensive rebound | |||
12:32 | Joseph Tugler personal foul (Cole Bajema draws the foul) | |||
12:15 | +2 | Ben Carlson makes two point layup (Cole Bajema assists) | 15-16 | |
11:56 | LJ Cryer misses three point jump shot | |||
11:54 | Emanuel Sharp offensive rebound | |||
11:47 | LJ Cryer misses two point jump shot | |||
11:45 | J'wan Roberts offensive rebound | |||
11:41 | +2 | J'wan Roberts makes two point layup | 17-16 | |
11:28 | Branden Carlson misses two point jump shot | |||
11:26 | Branden Carlson offensive rebound | |||
11:22 | Branden Carlson misses two point jump shot | |||
11:20 | Ben Carlson offensive rebound | |||
11:20 | Ben Carlson turnover (bad pass) | |||
11:20 | TV timeout | |||
11:09 | +2 | Emanuel Sharp makes two point jump shot (Jamal Shead assists) | 19-16 | |
10:47 | Rollie Worster misses three point jump shot | |||
10:45 | J'wan Roberts defensive rebound | |||
10:37 | Emanuel Sharp misses three point jump shot | |||
10:35 | Damian Dunn offensive rebound | |||
10:32 | Branden Carlson shooting foul (Damian Dunn draws the foul) | |||
10:32 | +1 | Damian Dunn makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 20-16 | |
10:32 | +1 | Damian Dunn makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 21-16 | |
10:10 | Lawson Lovering turnover (bad pass) (Jamal Shead steals) | |||
9:58 | Emanuel Sharp turnover (bad pass) (Cole Bajema steals) | |||
9:47 | Lawson Lovering misses two point layup | |||
9:45 | Lawson Lovering offensive rebound | |||
9:45 | Damian Dunn shooting foul (Lawson Lovering draws the foul) | |||
9:45 | Lawson Lovering misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | |||
9:45 | +1 | Lawson Lovering makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 21-17 | |
9:33 | Terrance Arceneaux misses two point jump shot | |||
9:31 | Lawson Lovering defensive rebound | |||
9:14 | Hunter Erickson misses two point jump shot | |||
9:12 | Ben Carlson offensive rebound | |||
9:05 | +3 | Gabe Madsen makes three point jump shot (Hunter Erickson assists) | 21-20 | |
8:49 | Jamal Shead misses two point jump shot | |||
8:47 | Jamal Shead offensive rebound | |||
8:30 | Jamal Shead misses three point jump shot | |||
8:28 | Terrance Arceneaux offensive rebound | |||
8:15 | Lawson Lovering blocks Jamal Shead's two point jump shot | |||
8:13 | Ben Carlson defensive rebound | |||
8:07 | Gabe Madsen misses three point jump shot | |||
8:05 | J'wan Roberts defensive rebound | |||
7:55 | +3 | Emanuel Sharp makes three point jump shot | 24-20 | |
7:37 | Cole Bajema misses three point jump shot | |||
7:35 | Damian Dunn defensive rebound | |||
7:26 | Emanuel Sharp misses three point jump shot | |||
7:24 | J'wan Roberts offensive rebound | |||
7:22 | Ben Carlson shooting foul (J'wan Roberts draws the foul) | |||
7:22 | TV timeout | |||
7:22 | +1 | J'wan Roberts makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 25-20 | |
7:22 | +1 | J'wan Roberts makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 26-20 | |
7:07 | +3 | Gabe Madsen makes three point jump shot (Rollie Worster assists) | 26-23 | |
6:39 | Damian Dunn misses three point jump shot | |||
6:37 | Rollie Worster defensive rebound | |||
6:29 | Branden Carlson misses three point jump shot | |||
6:27 | Terrance Arceneaux defensive rebound | |||
6:11 | Terrance Arceneaux misses three point jump shot | |||
6:09 | Cole Bajema defensive rebound | |||
5:59 | +3 | Gabe Madsen makes three point jump shot (Cole Bajema assists) | 26-26 | |
5:36 | +3 | LJ Cryer makes three point jump shot | 29-26 | |
5:03 | Rollie Worster misses two point jump shot | |||
5:01 | Branden Carlson offensive rebound | |||
4:44 | +2 | Branden Carlson makes two point jump shot (Rollie Worster assists) | 29-28 | |
4:22 | +2 | Damian Dunn makes two point jump shot | 31-28 | |
4:05 | Rollie Worster misses two point jump shot | |||
4:03 | Rollie Worster offensive rebound | |||
4:01 | Ja'Vier Francis blocks Rollie Worster's two point jump shot | |||
3:59 | Ja'Vier Francis defensive rebound | |||
3:51 | +2 | LJ Cryer makes two point jump shot | 33-28 | |
3:40 | Damian Dunn personal foul (Gabe Madsen draws the foul) | |||
3:40 | TV timeout | |||
3:40 | Gabe Madsen misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | |||
3:40 | J'wan Roberts defensive rebound | |||
3:20 | Jamal Shead misses two point jump shot | |||
3:18 | Lawson Lovering defensive rebound | |||
3:11 | Lawson Lovering misses three point jump shot | |||
3:09 | J'wan Roberts defensive rebound | |||
2:43 | +2 | Jamal Shead makes two point jump shot | 35-28 | |
2:26 | Gabe Madsen misses three point jump shot | |||
2:24 | Jamal Shead defensive rebound | |||
2:17 | +2 | Jamal Shead makes two point layup | 37-28 | |
1:55 | +2 | Branden Carlson makes two point jump shot (Lawson Lovering assists) | 37-30 | |
1:38 | Ja'Vier Francis turnover (traveling) | |||
1:21 | Terrance Arceneaux personal foul (Rollie Worster draws the foul) | |||
1:21 | Rollie Worster misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | |||
1:21 | Ja'Vier Francis defensive rebound | |||
1:12 | Jamal Shead misses two point jump shot | |||
1:10 | Cole Bajema defensive rebound | |||
1:01 | Gabe Madsen misses three point jump shot | |||
0:59 | Emanuel Sharp defensive rebound | |||
0:48 | Cougars 30 second timeout | |||
0:37 | Lawson Lovering blocks Emanuel Sharp's two point layup | |||
0:35 | Gabe Madsen defensive rebound | |||
0:30 | Gabe Madsen turnover (bad pass) (Emanuel Sharp steals) | |||
0:25 | +2 | Emanuel Sharp makes two point layup | 39-30 | |
0:03 | Branden Carlson misses three point jump shot | |||
0:01 | Terrance Arceneaux defensive rebound | |||
0:00 | End of period |