3 keys to No. 4 Houston’s 75-68 win over No. 21 BYU in a Big 12 battle at the Marriott Center
View Comments
Share
Brigham Young Cougars guard Spencer Johnson (20) drives on Houston Cougars guard Jamal Shead (1) as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Jay has covered sports in Utah for more than 30 years and has been writing for the Deseret News since 2019.
Houston shot a blistering 43.5% from the 3-point line and got 23 points from Baylor transfer LJ Cryer to beat BYU 75-68 Tuesday night at the Marriott Center.
The No. 21 Cougars dropped to 14-5 overall, 2-4 in the Big 12 with their second straight loss.
No. 4 Houston led by as many as 13 points in the second half, but BYU rallied back and tied it on a Noah Waterman 3-pointer with 2:15 left.
Special Collector's Issue: "1984: The Year BYU was Second to None"
Get an inclusive look inside BYU Football's 1984 National Championship season.
However, the red Cougars made seven of eight free throws in the final two minutes to secure the win, while BYU failed to score on its final five possessions.
Here are 3 keys to Houston’s victory in front of 16,553 at the Marriott Center:
1 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) goes under the hoop with Houston Cougars forward Ja'Vier Francis (5) defending him as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
2 of 39
Houston Cougars forward Ja'Vier Francis (5) battles Brigham Young Cougars center Aly Khalifa (50) and Brigham Young Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) for the ball as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
3 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guard Spencer Johnson (20) drives on Houston Cougars guard Jamal Shead (1) as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
4 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) spins toward the hoop with Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) defending as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
5 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guard Jaxson Robinson (2) drives on Houston Cougars forward Ja'Vier Francis (5) as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
6 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars forward Atiki Ally Atiki (4) catches a pass for a dunk and is fouled by Houston Cougars guard Damian Dunn (11) as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
7 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars forward Atiki Ally Atiki (4) drives on Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (25) as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
8 of 39
Houston Cougars players and coaches celebrate after a 3-point shot as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
9 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guard Jaxson Robinson (2) flips up a shot as he slips past Houston Cougars forward Ja'Vier Francis (5) as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
10 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars forward Noah Waterman (0) shoots over Houston Cougars guard L.J. Cryer (4) as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
11 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guard Spencer Johnson (20) and Brigham Young Cougars center Aly Khalifa (50) sit dejected on the bench as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
12 of 39
A young Brigham Young Cougars fan enjoys the game as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
13 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars forward Fousseyni Traore (45) works against Houston Cougars guard Jamal Shead (1) as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
14 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars center Aly Khalifa (50) takes a pass over Houston Cougars guard Jamal Shead (1) as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
15 of 39
Houston Cougars guard Mylik Wilson (8) looks and reaches for the ball with teammate Houston Cougars forward Ja'Vier Francis (5) and Brigham Young Cougars center Aly Khalifa (50) looking on as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
16 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) fouls Houston Cougars guard L.J. Cryer (4) in the corner as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
17 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars forward Atiki Ally Atiki (4) and Brigham Young Cougars guards Richie Saunders (15) and Spencer Johnson (20) cheer after a basket as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
18 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars students try to disrupt Houston Cougars forward J'Wan Roberts (13) as he shoots a free throw as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
19 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars forward Fousseyni Traore (45) reaches out for the ball with Houston Cougars guard Damian Dunn (11) defending as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
20 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guard Trevin Knell (21) sits on the bench after fouling out of the game as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
21 of 39
Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) reacts after Brigham Young Cougars guard Trevin Knell (21) was called for a foul as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
22 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guards Trevin Knell (21) and Richie Saunders (15) battle Houston Cougars forwards Ja'Vier Francis (5) and J'Wan Roberts (13) as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
23 of 39
A Brigham Young Cougars cheerleader looks into a phone for a video during a timeout as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
24 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) tries to defend Houston Cougars guard Jamal Shead (1) as he goes at the hoop as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
25 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars students take selfies in the stands as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Houston won 75-68. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
26 of 39
Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) is called for a foul on Brigham Young Cougars forward Noah Waterman (0) as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
27 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars forward Noah Waterman (0) signals a 3-point make as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
28 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guard Dallin Hall (30) goes at the hoop with Houston Cougars forward Ja'Vier Francis (5) defending as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
29 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) is fouled on his way to the hoop as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
30 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) reacts after dropping in a shot as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
31 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) drives to hoop on Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (25) as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
32 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) and teammates watch the action from the bench as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
33 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) claps as he watches from the bench as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
34 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars forward Atiki Ally Atiki (4) looks for an open teammate as he is defended by Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (25) as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
35 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars center Aly Khalifa (50) and Brigham Young Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) battle Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (25) as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
36 of 39
Houston Cougars forward Ja'Vier Francis (5) battles Brigham Young Cougars center Aly Khalifa (50) and Brigham Young Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) for the ball as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
37 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars forwards Noah Waterman (0) and Atiki Ally Atiki (4) defend Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
38 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars head coach Mark Pope calls out instructions as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
39 of 39
Brigham Young Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) and teammates watch the action from the bench as BYU and Houston play at the Marriott Center in Provo on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
• Houston converted 13 BYU turnovers into 17 points and also had 15 second-chance points off 15 offensive rebounds. The red Cougars went 17 of 24 from the free-throw line, while BYU got to the line for just 10 free throws, making seven.
View Comments
• BYU was supposed to be the better 3-point shooting team, but Houston melted the Marriott Center rims from deep, particularly in the first half. Houston built its 41-34 halftime lead by going 6 of 12 from 3-point range, while BYU was 6 of 18 in the first 20 minutes.
Houston finished 10 of 23 from deep, while BYU was 11 of 38.
• The lead got away from the blue Cougars late in the first half when they went the final seven minutes of the half with just two field goals — layups by Aly Khalifa and Dallin Hall. Hall and Trevin Knell were whistled for three fouls apiece in the first half, severely crimping BYU’s attack before the break.
Knell eventually fouled out, but not before missing a wide open 3-point attempt with 45 seconds left when Houston had a 69-68 lead.
Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.
