HOUSTON (AP) — J’Wan Roberts had a career-high 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Marcus Sasser also scored 20 points as No. 2 Houston held off Memphis 72-64 on Sunday.
Jamal Shead added 10 points for Houston (25-2, 13-1 American Athletic Conference). The Cougars shot 45% but struggled from deep, going 3 of 17 on 3-pointers.
The Cougars forced 18 turnovers, which they converted into 22 points. Houston has won seven straight games.
Elijah McCadden had 20 points and six rebounds, DeAndre Williams added 18 points and Damaria Franklin scored 10 for Memphis (20-7, 10-4). The Tigers shot 44%, including 6 of 15 on 3-pointers.
Memphis was without leading scorer Kendric Davis, who averages over 21 points per game. Davis went through warm-ups but was out of the lineup with an injury.
After trailing 32-21 at the half, Memphis opened the second half by shooting 5 for 7 and cutting the lead to 38-34 on a 3-pointer by Franklin with 16 minutes remaining, which capped a 6-0 run.
Houston responded with a 9-2 spurt to regain an 11-point lead at 47-36 on a layup by Roberts with 12 minutes remaining.
The Tigers closed within 63-58 with 2:24 remaining on a layup by Williams, but that was as close as Memphis was get as Houston made nine of its last 10 free throws to put away the game.
Houston used a 17-3 run over a five-minute stretch of the first half to open up a 30-16 lead on Sasser’s jumper with 3:47 left in the half. Sasser scored seven points in the run.
BIG PICTURE
Memphis: The Tigers fell to 1-2 against ranked opponents this season. … Memphis missed a chance to help its NCAA Tournament resume, falling to 7-6 in Quad 1 and 2 games, including 2-3 in Quad 1 games. … Memphis outrebounded Houston 34-30.
Houston: The Cougars improved to 12-1 in Quad 1 and 2 games. … Houston shot 23 of 26 from the free throw line, including making 13 straight at one point in the second half. … The Cougars held a 38-32 advantage in points in the paint.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Following losses to No. 1 Alabama and No. 3 Purdue last week, Houston could regain the top spot in the AP Top 25 for a third time this season.
UP NEXT
Memphis: At Wichita State on Wednesday.
Houston: Hosts Tulane on Wednesday.