Houston beats SIU Edwardsville: Score, live updates of NCAA Tournament 1st-round game
After a historic run through Big 12 Conference play, Houston now sets its sights on bringing home the program’s first national title.
The Cougars began their quest on Thursday afternoon with a dominating 78-40 win agaisnt SIU Edwardsville in Wichita for an opening-round Midwest Region tilt in the NCAA Tournament.
How to watch, stream Houston vs. SIU Edwardsville in NCAA 1st round: TV, predictions
Houston - the No. 1 seed in the Midwest - extends its winning streak to 14 straight and after a 4-3 start, come in having won 27 of its last 28 ballgames. That included a 19-1 record in the Big 12, the most wins in a single season by any school in that league, along with capturing the Big 12 Tournament championship in just Houston’s second season in the conference.
After falling behind 2-0 early, Houston eventually took over and grinded the other Cougars into submisson. Four Houston players hit double figures, led by Milos Uzan's 16 points and 15 from LJ Cryer. Ja'Vier Francis and Terrance Arceneaux both came off the bench to add 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Houston determined to have better memories of Wichita this time in the NCAA tourney
SIU Edwardsville - the No. 16 seed - was making its first trip to the NCAA tourney. Also nicknamed the Cougars, SIU Edwardsville punched its long-awaited ticket to the “Big Dance” after winning the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.
Houston (31-4) now advances to Saturday's second round, awaiting the winner of the first-round game between Gonzaga and Georgia, taking place later on Thursday afternoon.
What SIU Edwardsville coach Brian Barone said on facing Houston in NCAA Tournament
Follow Houston Cougars On SI writer Buck Ringgold (@Bucks_Ballpark) for all of the live updates and scoring from Wichita's INTRUST Bank Arena. Refresh for the latest score and live updates.
HOUSTON 78, SIU EDWARDSVILLE 40 FINAL
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POSTGAME STATS AND ANALYSIS
- Houston trailed 2-0 early, but from there the Big 12 champs went to town in a dominating first-round performance in the Midwest Region.
SECOND HALF
- Mercy Miller scores his first points in an NCAA Tournament, as the freshman sinks two foul shots. (Houston, 72-37 | 5:04, 2nd)
- Terrance Arceneaux is now in double figures with 10, joining LJ Cryer, Milos Uzan and Ja'Vier Francis in double figures. (Houston, 70-31 | 7:52, 2nd)
- Terrance Arceneaux has scored the last six points, including knocking down a 3. Houston still in command. (Houston, 64-30 | 11:15, 2nd)
- Milos Uzan with 16 points, LJ Cryer with 15. The two have combined to go 11-of-19 from the field and have combined for six 3's. (Houston, 58-30 | 15:40, 2nd)
FIRST HALF
- LJ Cryer ends the first half by hitting back-to-back 3's. He now has 15 points on the day. (Houston, 52-24 | :01, 1st)
- LJ Cryer and Ja'Vier Francis each with 9 points now for Houston, which is rolling now. (Houston, 42-20 | 3:45, 1st)
- Houston now on a 10-2 run as Milos Uzan is up to 14 points. Ja'Vier Francis also getting good play off the bench with 7 points and four boards. (Houston, 40-18 | 4:37, 1st)
- Milos Uzan now 5-of-6 from the field and Houston is also 5-of-8 from 3-point range. (Houston, 32-16 | 6:47, 1st)
- Milos Uzan already on a roll for Houston. He has made each of his first four shot attempts, including a 3, as the Cougars already have hit four treys. (Houston, 24-8 | 10:46, 1st)
- Down 4-2, Houston has reeled off 10 straight points to go in front. LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharp hit 3-pointers during that run.
- J'Wan Roberts is back on the court after missing the Big 12 semifinals and title game with an ankle injury. The usual starting 5 for Houston now: Roberts and JoJo Tugler at the forwards; Milos Uzan, LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharp the guards.
PREGAME
- Coming to you from the INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita. Getting set for the opening round of the Midwest Region as top seed Houston faces No. 16 SIU Edwardsville.
