Houston took care of business in a big way Thursday night, rolling past Cincinnati 76-54 at the Fertitta Center. From the opening tip, the Cougars looked like a team with something to prove-and they didn’t let up.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Houston’s defense swarmed, their offense flowed, and they completely disrupted any rhythm Cincinnati tried to build. From starters to bench players, it was a full-team performance that showed off the depth and discipline Kelvin Sampson’s squad has been building all season.
Fast Start, Full Control
The Cougars wasted no time setting the tone. Just three minutes in, Houston had jumped out to a 12-8 lead, thanks in part to a key early steal from freshman forward Chris Cenac Jr. That play sparked a run that gave Houston the cushion it needed, and they never looked back.
Cincinnati tried to push back, trimming the lead to 16-13 at one point, but Houston quickly turned up the heat again. A 27-15 lead midway through the first half made it clear who was in control. And when sophomore guard Mercy Miller knocked down a pair of clutch threes late in the half, the Cougars carried a 32-20 lead into the break.
Second Half Surge
Whatever adjustments Cincinnati hoped to make at halftime didn’t stand a chance. Houston came out firing, scoring five quick points to push the lead to 17. From there, it was all Cougars.
Freshman guard Kingston Flemings made his presence felt on the defensive end, tallying four rebounds and five assists. Cenac Jr. continued to shine with 13 points and two steals, showing off the kind of two-way impact that’s becoming his calling card.
And senior guard Milos Uzan was everywhere-16 points, five assists, two steals, and two boards. He was the steady hand that kept Houston humming.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, couldn’t get out of their own way. A flurry of missed shots and errant passes led to 19 turnovers-one of their highest totals of the season. And Houston, as they’ve done all year, made them pay for every single one.
“They’re quick with their hands to the ball,” Bearcats head coach Wes Miller said after the game. And he’s not wrong. Houston’s defense has a way of turning small mistakes into big problems for opponents.
Closing Time
Even as Cincinnati tried to claw back with some late three-point attempts, Houston never let them get close. The Cougars kept their foot on the gas, stretching the lead to 24 with ten minutes to play and coasting from there.
Freshman guard Isaiah Harwell added 13 points, while Miller chipped in with seven points and three rebounds. Sampson even got extended minutes for several underclassmen, a sign of both the team’s depth and the trust he has in his young core.
This was Houston’s largest margin of victory in recent memory, rivaling their earlier season blowout over Arizona State. And while the scoreboard tells one story, the way they got there says even more.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Houston improves to 18-2 and extends its winning streak against Cincinnati to 14 straight games. The Bearcats are now 0-6 on the road this season, and Sampson moves to a perfect 11-0 in head-to-head matchups with Wes Miller.
The Cougars now turn their attention to UCF, who they’ll host on Feb. 4, before heading to Provo for a showdown with No. 13 BYU on Feb.
- It’s a critical stretch, but with the way Houston is playing, they look more than ready.
Statistically, this game marked a step forward in several areas. While the Cougars had fewer rebounds than in their last meeting with Cincinnati on Jan. 3, they made up for it with more scoring balance and the same number of steals. Miller and Harwell both saw increased minutes and made the most of them, giving Houston even more offensive versatility.
We’re officially at the halfway point of the season, and Houston is right where they want to be-ranked No. 10, riding momentum, and playing some of their best basketball. If this game is any indication, the Cougars aren’t just contenders-they’re a problem for anyone standing in their way.