Houston’s No. 3 Walker rallies for 75-69 win over Cincinnati

HOUSTON (AP) — Jarace Walker had a career-high 25 points and seven rebounds, and No. 3 Houston rallied from an 11-point second-half deficit to defeat Cincinnati 75-69 on Saturday.

Walker, who scored 13 points in the second half, was 10 of 14 from the field. J’Wan Roberts added 14 points and six rebounds, and Jamal Shead scored 13 points for Houston (20-2, 8-1 American Athletic Conference).

Houston has won at least 20 games in eight consecutive seasons under coach Kelvin Sampson. The Cougars shot 57% but were only 5 of 17 from 3-point range.

Landers Nolley II had 24 points, including 6 3-pointers. Vicktor Lakhin added 15 points and David DeJulius had 14 points and nine assists for Cincinnati (14-8, 5-4). The Bearcats shot 44%, including 11 of 27 from 3-pointers.

Trailing 60-49 with 11½ minutes left, the Cougars used a 20-4 run to take a five-point lead – capped by a Roberts dunk with 2:49 left. But the Bearcats responded with five straight points to tie it at 69 on a 3-pointer from DeJulius with 1:19 left.

Houston responded with a jump back from Shead with 47 seconds left to give the Cougars a two-point lead.

After Cincinnati was called out for a shot clock violation, Shead made two free throws with 14 seconds left to put Houston ahead 73-69. On the other side, Lakhin was whistled for goalkeeper with five seconds left.

Cincinnati used a 16-0 run to take a 19-6 lead on a 3-pointer from Jeremiah Davenport with 13 minutes left. It was the biggest deficit for Houston this season. The Bearcats took a 43-36 halftime lead on a Mika Adams-Woods half-court 3 at the buzzer.

The Bearcats struggled in the second half, shooting 30 percent and making just 3 of 15 3-point attempts.

Houston outshot Cincinnati 35-27 and held a 42-28 advantage in points in the paint.

BIG PICTURE

Cincinnati: The Bearcats missed a chance to win. Cincinnati last beat a top-3 team on March 9, 2012 (No. 2 Syracuse, 71-68).

Houston: The Cougars haven’t lost a straight home game since January 2017. … Houston has won eight in a row against the Bearcats. … Houston’s struggles from the free throw line continued, finishing 10 of 16.

NEXT

Cincinnati: Hosts Tulsa on Wednesday.

Houston: At Wichita State on Thursday.

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