UH Cougars Clinch Outright Big 12 Conference Championship

HOUSTON (AP) – Graduate guard L.J. Cryer scored 20 points, and the #4/4 University of Houston Men’s Basketball program clinched the outright Big 12 regular-season title for the second straight season with a 73-64 win over Cincinnati inside Fertitta Center on Saturday evening.

Sophomore guard Terrance Arceneaux added 10 points for Houston (25-4, 17-1 Big 12), which has won eight straight. The Cougars became the first team to win the regular-season championship in its first two years in a major conference since Idaho won the Pacific Coast Conference (which became the Pac 10) during the 1921-22 and 1922-23 seasons. Houston joined the Big 12 in 2023.

With Saturday’s win, 2024-25 Houston tied 2019-20 Kansas team as the winningest team in conference games in Big 12 single-season history. This year’s Cougar squad also tied 2022-23 Houston (17-1, American Athletic) as the winningest squad in conference games in school history.

With his two free throws with 50 seconds remaining, Cryer moved into Houston’s career 1,000-Point Club, becoming the second Cougar to reach that milestone in 2024-25 and joining graduate forward J’Wan Roberts. At 57 games, Cryer was the 13th fastest Cougar to reach that historic total.

Cryer also recorded his team-leading seventh 20-point game of the season. The Cougars improved to 4-3 when Cryer scored 20+ points in a game this season.

The Cougars, who won their 12th straight game over Cincinnati, shot 54% and owned a 17-9 advantage in points off turnovers.

Day Day Thomas scored 19 points and Jizzle James added 18 for Cincinnati (17-12, 7-11). The Bearcats shot 44% and were 6 of 20 on 3-pointers.

Trailing 10-2 with 13½ minutes left in the first half, Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson called timeout, and Cryer hit a jumper out of it to start a 18-2 run. Houston led 37-25 at the half.

The Cougars dominated the inside with a 40-24 advantage in points in the paint.

NOTES

The Cougars continue to help their cause for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament with their 21st win in 22 games. Houston improved to 15-4 in Quad 1 and 2 games this season with all its losses coming in Quad 1 games.

UP NEXT

• Following Saturday’s game, Houston closes its regular-season home schedule and celebrates Senior Night against Kansas at 8 p.m., Monday, March 3, in Fertitta Center. That game will air on ESPN.

• Prior to the game, the Cougars will recognize graduate forward J’Wan Roberts, graduate guard LJ Cryer, graduate guard Mylik Wilson, senior forward Ja’Vier Francis and senior guard Ramon Walker Jr. The Senior Ceremony is set to begin around 7:30 p.m., Monday.

• From there, the Cougars wrap up their regular-season schedule when they meet Baylor at 9 p.m., Saturday, March 8, inside Foster Pavilion in Waco, Texas.

• Fans should note the 9 p.m., starting time, which was recently changed from earlier published schedules.

• All Houston Men’s Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.