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Live updates, score: Houston hammers Texas A&M in men's basketball exhibition

The Cougars were impressive in their first game action of the season

Ben Sherman

Houston guard Emanuel Sharp (21) scored eight points in the first half of their exhibition game against Texas A&M.
Houston guard Emanuel Sharp (21) scored eight points in the first half of their exhibition game against Texas A&M. / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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In their first game action of the 2024-25 college basketball season, the No. 4 Houston Cougars looked every bit the part of a national championship contender.

It was only a charity exhibition game, but the Cougars flashed depth, scoring ability, length and their trademark suffocating defense on the way to a 79-64 win over No. 13 Texas A&M.

Kelvin Sampson went with a starting lineup of LJ Cryer, Emanuel Sharp, J'Wan Roberts, Milos Uzan and Joseph Tugler vs. the Aggies. Ja'Vier Francis is dealing with a groin injury and was in street clothes. He's expected to be ready for next week's season opener.

Cryer led the Cougars with 18 points in 23 minutes, including six 3-pointers. Freshman Mercy Miller scored 11 points, and Terrance Arceneaux and Roberts had 10 apiece.

Tugler struggled from the field (0-for-5), but looked explosive and led all players with 8 offensive rebounds. He has one of the longest wingspans in the country at 7-foot-6. The Cougars outrebounded the Aggies 40-29.

Wade Taylor IV led Texas A&M with 18 points.

The exhibition game benefits the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance Hurricane Beryl Recovery Fund, which assists those who were affected by the hurricane.

Check out big-play highlights from the game:

Second Half Updates

Houston 79, Texas A&M 64, Final: Kelvin Sampson emptied the bench early as the Cougars cruised to victory. LJ Cryer led the Cougars with 18 points in 23 minutes. He was 6-for-12 from 3-point range.

Houston 64, Texas A&M 42, 7:27 left: Terrance Arceneaux and J'Wan Roberts are now in double digits with 10 points apiece. LJ Cryer leads all scorers with 18 points. Roberts' jump hook is unguardable.

Houston 53, Texas A&M 34, 13:09 left: The Cougars are pulling away behind 3-point shooting and rebuounding. They're now 11-for-23 from the 3-point line and have a 29-17 rebounding advantage over the Aggies.

Houston 46, Texas A&M 30, 15:39 left: LJ Cryer has buried two more 3-pointers in the first four minutes of the second half to give the Cougars a 16-point lead. Cryer now has 15 points on the game.

First Half Highlights

Emanuel Sharp buries a 3-pointer to open the game:

Terrance Arceneau, coming off an ACL injury, drains a 3-pointer in transition:

LJ Cryer knocks down a deep 3-pointer:

Freshman Mercy Miller flashes his athleticism by splitting a double team and throwing down a two-handed dunk:

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Ben Sherman
BEN SHERMAN

Ben Sherman has been covering the sports world for most of his journalism career, including 17 years with The Oregonian/OregonLive. One of his favorite memories was covering the 1999 Fiesta Bowl - the first BCS National Championship Game - at Sun Devil Stadium.

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