Emanuel Sharp scores 21 as No. 4 Houston holds off Texas A&M 70-66 for its 11th win
AP
Dec 17, 2023
Houston Cougars (AP) Emanuel Sharp scored Houston's last five points and finished with 21 points, L.J. Cryer added 17 and the unbeaten fourth-ranked Cougars held off Texas A&M Aggies 70-66 on Saturday.
Cryer has scored in double figures in 10 straight games, and Sharp has reached double figures in nine of 11 games this season.
“When we get into situations like this in the game where I am open and have a chance to take a shot like that, I don’t have any hesitation taking it because I have worked a lot,” Sharp said about scoring his team's final five points. “I have a lot of confidence that I can make those shots.”
Cryer and Sharp combined to score 23 points in the first half on 8-for-17 shooting, including five 3-pointers, as Houston built a 38-23 halftime lead.
“He’s fearless,” Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said of Sharp. “These guys have all played in big games. … Having a guy like Emanuel in his second year, a sophomore, this is only going to help him going forward. Our whole team, I think we all can get better from this experience.”
Jamal Shead had 12 points and eight assists, and J’Wan Roberts had 10 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for Houston (11-0), which shot 43% and made 11 3-pointers.
Wade Taylor IV scored 34 points, including 26 in the second half, to lead an Aggies’ rally. Texas A&M (7-4) shot 38% from the field, including 9 of 27 on 3-pointers.
“When our backs are against the wall, we’re not going to back up,” Texas A&M forward Henry Coleman III said. “We’re going to be right in the middle of the ring, and we’re going to keep punching, punching, punching until there is zero on the clock.”
The Aggies have lost two straight.
“I’m just staying together with my team,” Taylor said. “We just got back to the things that got us here, and I feel like that played a big part today.”
Houston led 53-32 with 15½ minutes remaining before the Aggies rallied to tie it at 63 with 1 ½ minutes left. Ja’Vier Francis put Houston ahead with a dunk. Taylor missed a jumper with a minute left and Houston got the rebound. Sharp connected on a 3-pointer with 29 seconds left to push the lead to five.
Taylor hit another 3 with 21 seconds remaining to cut the lead to 68-66, and Houston had a violation on an inbounds play with 17 seconds left. Taylor missed a 3, but Coleman was fouled on the putback attempt with six seconds remaining. He missed both free throws and Roberts got the rebound. Sharp made two free throws with five seconds left to seal the win.
BIG PICTURE
Texas A&M: The Aggies missed a chance for a marquee win ahead of SEC play, which starts Jan. 6 against LSU. The Aggies owned a 21-9 advantage in second-chance points.
Houston: The Cougars picked up another Quad 1 win, according to the NCAA Net rankings. Houston has four Quad 1 wins. Houston snapped a three-game losing streak to the Aggies in the teams’ first meeting since December 2013.
UP NEXT
Texas A&M: Hosts Houston Christian on Friday.
Houston: Hosts Texas State on Thursday.
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1st Half
TXAM
Aggies
23
HOU
Cougars
38
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
J'wan Roberts vs. Wildens Leveque (Jamal Shead gains possession)
19:45
Wildens Leveque blocks Emanuel Sharp's two point layup
19:43
Cougars offensive rebound
19:43
Cougars turnover (5-second violation)
19:20
Jace Carter misses three point jump shot
19:18
Jamal Shead defensive rebound
19:11
Emanuel Sharp misses three point jump shot
19:09
Henry Coleman III defensive rebound
18:56
+2
Wade Taylor IV makes two point driving layup
2-0
18:29
LJ Cryer misses three point jump shot
18:27
LJ Cryer offensive rebound
18:13
Emanuel Sharp misses three point jump shot
18:11
Wildens Leveque defensive rebound
17:58
+3
Hayden Hefner makes three point jump shot (Wildens Leveque assists)
5-0
17:35
Jamal Shead turnover (bad pass) (Wade Taylor IV steals)
17:29
Jace Carter misses three point jump shot
17:27
Henry Coleman III offensive rebound
17:27
Ja'Vier Francis personal foul (Henry Coleman III draws the foul)
17:19
Wade Taylor IV misses two point layup
17:17
Andersson Garcia offensive rebound
17:16
J'wan Roberts blocks Andersson Garcia's two point layup
17:15
Henry Coleman III offensive rebound
17:15
Ja'Vier Francis shooting foul (Henry Coleman III draws the foul)
17:15
+1
Henry Coleman III makes regular free throw 1 of 2
6-0
17:15
+1
Henry Coleman III makes regular free throw 2 of 2
7-0
16:55
Hayden Hefner blocks Jamal Shead's two point jump shot
16:53
Henry Coleman III defensive rebound
16:49
Emanuel Sharp personal foul (Andersson Garcia draws the foul)
16:36
Andersson Garcia misses three point jump shot
16:34
LJ Cryer defensive rebound
16:29
+2
Jamal Shead makes two point driving layup
7-2
16:10
Joseph Tugler shooting foul (Andersson Garcia draws the foul)
16:10
Andersson Garcia misses regular free throw 1 of 2
16:10
+1
Andersson Garcia makes regular free throw 2 of 2
8-2
15:51
+2
LJ Cryer makes two point pullup jump shot (Jamal Shead assists)
8-4
15:31
Jace Carter turnover (lost ball)
15:31
TV timeout
15:15
+3
LJ Cryer makes three point jump shot (Jamal Shead assists)
8-7
14:52
Hayden Hefner turnover (traveling)
14:25
Jamal Shead misses three point jump shot
14:23
Andersson Garcia defensive rebound
14:01
Wade Taylor IV turnover (bad pass)
13:44
LJ Cryer misses two point jump shot
13:42
Jace Carter defensive rebound
13:34
Manny Obaseki misses two point layup
13:32
Solomon Washington offensive rebound
13:26
Solomon Washington turnover (bad pass) (Jamal Shead steals)
13:22
Andersson Garcia shooting foul (LJ Cryer draws the foul)
13:22
+1
LJ Cryer makes regular free throw 1 of 2
8-8
13:22
+1
LJ Cryer makes regular free throw 2 of 2
8-9
13:02
Jamal Shead personal foul (Andersson Garcia draws the foul)
12:54
Manny Obaseki misses two point jump shot
12:52
Solomon Washington offensive rebound
12:52
+2
Solomon Washington makes two point tip layup
10-9
12:34
+3
Emanuel Sharp makes three point jump shot (Jamal Shead assists)
10-12
12:12
Wade Taylor IV turnover (bad pass)
11:51
Wade Taylor IV personal foul (Emanuel Sharp draws the foul)
11:51
TV timeout
11:32
+2
J'wan Roberts makes two point layup (Damian Dunn assists)
10-14
11:11
Terrance Arceneaux blocks Solomon Washington's three point jump shot
11:09
J'wan Roberts defensive rebound
11:03
+2
Emanuel Sharp makes two point driving layup
10-16
10:40
Wildens Leveque offensive foul (Emanuel Sharp draws the foul)
10:40
Wildens Leveque turnover (offensive foul)
10:26
Emanuel Sharp misses three point jump shot
10:24
Henry Coleman III defensive rebound
10:03
J'wan Roberts shooting foul (Hayden Hefner draws the foul)
10:03
Hayden Hefner misses regular free throw 1 of 2
10:03
+1
Hayden Hefner makes regular free throw 2 of 2
11-16
9:34
Jamal Shead misses two point jump shot
9:32
Manny Obaseki defensive rebound
9:28
Jump ball. Manny Obaseki vs. Terrance Arceneaux (Aggies gains possession)
9:00
+2
Wade Taylor IV makes two point pullup jump shot
13-16
8:41
LJ Cryer misses two point jump shot
8:40
Emanuel Sharp offensive rebound
8:40
Wade Taylor IV personal foul (Emanuel Sharp draws the foul)
8:30
+2
Jamal Shead makes two point driving layup (J'wan Roberts assists)
13-18
8:26
Official timeout
8:02
Manny Obaseki misses two point jump shot
8:00
LJ Cryer defensive rebound
7:55
+2
J'wan Roberts makes two point driving dunk (Jamal Shead assists)
13-20
7:40
+3
Hayden Hefner makes three point jump shot (Manny Obaseki assists)
16-20
7:12
+2
Emanuel Sharp makes two point stepback jump shot
16-22
6:50
Henry Coleman III misses two point layup
6:48
J'wan Roberts defensive rebound
6:44
+2
Joseph Tugler makes two point cutting layup (Jamal Shead assists)
16-24
6:40
Aggies 30 second timeout
6:40
TV timeout
6:29
Wade Taylor IV misses three point jump shot
6:27
Joseph Tugler defensive rebound
6:27
Wildens Leveque personal foul (J'wan Roberts draws the foul)
6:01
+2
Joseph Tugler makes two point floating jump shot (J'wan Roberts assists)
16-26
5:35
Joseph Tugler shooting foul (Wade Taylor IV draws the foul)
5:35
+1
Wade Taylor IV makes regular free throw 1 of 2
17-26
5:35
+1
Wade Taylor IV makes regular free throw 2 of 2
18-26
5:07
+2
J'wan Roberts makes two point floating jump shot (Jamal Shead assists)
18-28
4:57
+2
Wade Taylor IV makes two point driving layup
20-28
4:39
Emanuel Sharp misses three point jump shot
4:37
Henry Coleman III defensive rebound
4:17
Jamal Shead personal foul (Eli Lawrence draws the foul)
4:17
+1
Eli Lawrence makes regular free throw 1 of 2
21-28
4:17
Eli Lawrence misses regular free throw 2 of 2
4:17
Damian Dunn defensive rebound
3:54
Henry Coleman III shooting foul (Damian Dunn draws the foul)
3:54
TV timeout
3:54
+1
Damian Dunn makes regular free throw 1 of 2
21-29
3:54
Damian Dunn misses regular free throw 2 of 2
3:54
Ja'Vier Francis offensive rebound
3:51
Damian Dunn turnover (bad pass) (Wade Taylor IV steals)
3:45
Wade Taylor IV misses three point jump shot
3:43
J'wan Roberts defensive rebound
3:20
Solomon Washington blocks Emanuel Sharp's two point layup
3:18
Emanuel Sharp offensive rebound
3:17
LJ Cryer turnover (lost ball)
3:00
Hayden Hefner turnover (traveling)
2:41
+3
LJ Cryer makes three point jump shot (J'wan Roberts assists)
21-32
2:23
Ja'Vier Francis blocks Manny Obaseki's two point jump shot
2:22
J'wan Roberts defensive rebound
2:15
+3
LJ Cryer makes three point jump shot (J'wan Roberts assists)
21-35
2:12
Aggies 30 second timeout
1:59
Jace Carter turnover (lost ball)
1:28
Emanuel Sharp turnover (lost ball) (Wade Taylor IV steals)
1:21
+2
Henry Coleman III makes two point driving layup (Wade Taylor IV assists)
23-35
0:55
Ja'Vier Francis misses two point layup
0:53
Hayden Hefner defensive rebound
0:48
Jace Carter misses three point jump shot
0:46
Ja'Vier Francis defensive rebound
0:42
Cougars 30 second timeout
0:26
+3
Emanuel Sharp makes three point jump shot (J'wan Roberts assists)
23-38
0:05
Ja'Vier Francis blocks Manny Obaseki's two point layup
0:03
Aggies offensive rebound
0:01
Henry Coleman III misses three point jump shot
0:00
Cougars defensive rebound
0:00
End of period
2nd Half
TXAM
Aggies
43
HOU
Cougars
32
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:47
+3
Emanuel Sharp makes three point jump shot (J'wan Roberts assists)
23-41
19:27
Ja'Vier Francis blocks Jace Carter's two point turnaround fadeaway jump shot
19:25
J'wan Roberts defensive rebound
19:14
LJ Cryer misses three point stepback jump shot
19:12
Hayden Hefner defensive rebound
19:05
+3
Jace Carter makes three point jump shot (Wade Taylor IV assists)
26-41
18:33
+3
Jamal Shead makes three point jump shot (LJ Cryer assists)
26-44
18:17
+2
Andersson Garcia makes two point driving layup
28-44
17:48
Ja'Vier Francis misses two point reverse layup
17:46
Ja'Vier Francis offensive rebound
17:46
+2
Ja'Vier Francis makes two point putback layup
28-46
17:46
Andersson Garcia shooting foul (Ja'Vier Francis draws the foul)
17:46
+1
Ja'Vier Francis makes regular free throw 1 of 1
28-47
17:38
Ja'Vier Francis shooting foul (Wade Taylor IV draws the foul)
17:38
+1
Wade Taylor IV makes regular free throw 1 of 2
29-47
17:38
+1
Wade Taylor IV makes regular free throw 2 of 2
30-47
17:17
LJ Cryer turnover (bad pass) (Henry Coleman III steals)
17:12
+2
Jace Carter makes two point driving layup (Wade Taylor IV assists)
32-47
16:54
+3
LJ Cryer makes three point jump shot (Joseph Tugler assists)
32-50
16:22
Joseph Tugler blocks Wade Taylor IV's two point driving layup
16:20
Wade Taylor IV offensive rebound
16:11
Wade Taylor IV misses two point jump shot
16:09
Ja'Vier Francis defensive rebound
16:04
Jamal Shead turnover (bad pass) (Henry Coleman III steals)
16:00
Wade Taylor IV misses three point jump shot
16:00
Emanuel Sharp defensive rebound
16:00
Wade Taylor IV technical foul
15:58
TV timeout
16:00
+1
LJ Cryer makes technical free throw 1 of 1
32-51
15:39
+2
Jamal Shead makes two point running pullup jump shot
32-53
15:19
Joseph Tugler blocks Jace Carter's two point driving layup
15:17
Andersson Garcia offensive rebound
15:09
+2
Solomon Washington makes two point jump shot
34-53
14:43
Emanuel Sharp misses three point jump shot
14:41
Aggies defensive rebound
14:23
Henry Coleman III misses two point layup
14:21
Jace Carter offensive rebound
14:20
+2
Jace Carter makes two point putback layup
36-53
14:00
Emanuel Sharp misses three point jump shot
13:58
Henry Coleman III defensive rebound
13:51
Emanuel Sharp shooting foul (Wade Taylor IV draws the foul)
13:51
+1
Wade Taylor IV makes regular free throw 1 of 2
37-53
13:51
+1
Wade Taylor IV makes regular free throw 2 of 2
38-53
13:29
LJ Cryer misses three point jump shot
13:27
Wade Taylor IV defensive rebound
13:27
Damian Dunn personal foul
13:17
Jace Carter misses three point jump shot
13:15
Solomon Washington offensive rebound
13:05
+3
Wade Taylor IV makes three point jump shot (Jace Carter assists)
41-53
12:41
Henry Coleman III personal foul
12:36
LJ Cryer misses three point jump shot
12:34
Henry Coleman III defensive rebound
12:21
+3
Wade Taylor IV makes three point stepback jump shot
44-53
12:12
Cougars 30 second timeout
12:12
TV timeout
11:49
Ja'Vier Francis misses two point layup
11:49
J'wan Roberts offensive rebound
11:49
+2
J'wan Roberts makes two point putback layup
44-55
11:49
TV timeout
11:39
Eli Lawrence misses three point jump shot
11:37
Ja'Vier Francis defensive rebound
11:16
LJ Cryer misses two point jump shot
11:14
J'wan Roberts offensive rebound
11:06
J'wan Roberts misses two point hook shot
11:04
Solomon Washington defensive rebound
10:57
Wade Taylor IV turnover (traveling)
10:33
Damian Dunn misses three point jump shot
10:31
Emanuel Sharp offensive rebound
10:14
Jamal Shead misses two point floating jump shot
10:12
Henry Coleman III defensive rebound
10:03
+2
Henry Coleman III makes two point layup (Wade Taylor IV assists)
46-55
10:03
Ja'Vier Francis shooting foul (Henry Coleman III draws the foul)
10:03
Henry Coleman III misses regular free throw 1 of 1
10:03
Jamal Shead defensive rebound
9:45
Damian Dunn turnover (lost ball)
9:31
Joseph Tugler blocks Henry Coleman III's two point layup
9:30
J'wan Roberts defensive rebound
9:22
Emanuel Sharp turnover (traveling)
9:08
Henry Coleman III misses two point hook shot
9:06
Joseph Tugler defensive rebound
8:36
LJ Cryer misses three point jump shot
8:34
Emanuel Sharp offensive rebound
8:15
J'wan Roberts misses two point driving layup
8:13
J'wan Roberts offensive rebound
8:11
+2
J'wan Roberts makes two point putback layup
46-57
7:43
Wade Taylor IV misses three point jump shot
7:41
Solomon Washington offensive rebound
7:38
J'wan Roberts shooting foul (Solomon Washington draws the foul)
7:38
TV timeout
7:38
+1
Solomon Washington makes regular free throw 1 of 2
47-57
7:38
+1
Solomon Washington makes regular free throw 2 of 2
48-57
7:08
Emanuel Sharp misses three point jump shot
7:06
Solomon Washington defensive rebound
6:53
Jace Carter misses three point jump shot
6:51
Solomon Washington offensive rebound
6:46
Jamal Shead blocks Jace Carter's three point jump shot
6:44
Jace Carter offensive rebound
6:39
+3
Wade Taylor IV makes three point jump shot (Henry Coleman III assists)
51-57
6:09
LJ Cryer misses two point jump shot
6:07
Joseph Tugler offensive rebound
5:59
Joseph Tugler misses two point layup
5:57
Emanuel Sharp offensive rebound
5:47
Jamal Shead misses two point stepback jump shot
5:45
J'wan Roberts offensive rebound
5:38
J'wan Roberts misses two point layup
5:37
Joseph Tugler offensive rebound
5:37
Joseph Tugler misses two point layup
5:36
Henry Coleman III defensive rebound
5:24
Henry Coleman III turnover (bad pass) (Emanuel Sharp steals)
4:59
Andersson Garcia blocks Jamal Shead's two point jump shot
4:57
Wade Taylor IV defensive rebound
4:47
Wade Taylor IV misses three point jump shot
4:45
Andersson Garcia offensive rebound
4:44
+2
Andersson Garcia makes two point dunk
53-57
4:21
+3
Emanuel Sharp makes three point jump shot (J'wan Roberts assists)
53-60
3:58
Aggies 30 second timeout
3:58
TV timeout
3:47
Jamal Shead blocks Wade Taylor IV's three point jump shot
3:45
Aggies offensive rebound
3:45
Aggies turnover (shot clock violation)
3:36
Emanuel Sharp misses three point jump shot
3:34
Joseph Tugler offensive rebound
3:34
Solomon Washington personal foul
3:17
LJ Cryer misses three point jump shot
3:15
Henry Coleman III defensive rebound
3:07
+2
Wade Taylor IV makes two point driving finger roll layup
55-60
3:07
Joseph Tugler shooting foul (Wade Taylor IV draws the foul)
3:07
+1
Wade Taylor IV makes regular free throw 1 of 1
56-60
2:41
+3
Jamal Shead makes three point stepback jump shot
56-63
2:19
Jamal Shead personal foul
2:19
+1
Wade Taylor IV makes regular free throw 1 of 2
57-63
2:19
Wade Taylor IV misses regular free throw 2 of 2
2:18
Aggies offensive rebound
2:15
+3
Wade Taylor IV makes three point jump shot (Henry Coleman III assists)
60-63
1:41
Ja'Vier Francis turnover (traveling)
1:31
+3
Wade Taylor IV makes three point jump shot (Andersson Garcia assists)
63-63
1:24
Cougars 60 second timeout
1:14
+2
Ja'Vier Francis makes two point dunk (Jamal Shead assists)
63-65
1:00
Wade Taylor IV misses two point jump shot
0:58
Jamal Shead defensive rebound
0:31
+3
Emanuel Sharp makes three point jump shot (Jamal Shead assists)
63-68
0:24
Aggies 60 second timeout
0:21
+3
Wade Taylor IV makes three point jump shot (Hayden Hefner assists)
66-68
0:21
Wade Taylor IV personal foul
0:17
Andersson Garcia personal foul
0:17
Damian Dunn turnover (lost ball)
0:11
Wade Taylor IV misses three point jump shot
0:09
Henry Coleman III offensive rebound
0:06
J'wan Roberts shooting foul (Henry Coleman III draws the foul)
0:06
Henry Coleman III misses regular free throw 1 of 2
0:06
Henry Coleman III misses regular free throw 2 of 2
