Houston, led by Emanuel Sharp and Terrance Arceneaux, secured a convincing 86-55 victory over BYU in their Big 12 home opener, with Sharp notching a game-high 18 points and Arceneaux contributing 15 points off the bench. The win extended Houston’s winning streak to six games and marked their 30th consecutive victory at home, the longest active streak in the nation.
Sharp and Arceneaux were instrumental in Houston’s dominant first half performance, combining for 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting. The team capitalized on their strong start as L.J. Cryer and Milos Uzan further widened the gap in the second half with timely 3-pointers, pushing the lead to 57-32 and securing the win for Houston.
BYU, despite efforts from Trevin Knell who scored 12 points, struggled to keep pace with Houston throughout the game. Richie Saunders, who had a standout performance against Arizona State with 30 points, was limited to just nine points on 3-of-8 shooting.
BYU’s 15 turnovers proved costly as Houston capitalized on the mistakes, scoring 24 points off turnovers. Additionally, Houston dominated on the boards, outrebounding BYU with a significant 13-rebound margin.
Houston took control early in the game, going on a 12-2 run to establish a double-digit lead. Arceneaux’s 3-pointer extended the lead to 16-6, setting the tone for Houston’s commanding performance. Despite Knell’s efforts to keep BYU in contention with early 3-pointers, Houston maintained a comfortable lead throughout the first half.
Arceneaux continued to make an impact for Houston, contributing on both ends of the floor with steals and key baskets. Houston’s strong defensive presence limited BYU’s opportunities, with Houston converting turnovers into crucial points before halftime.
In the first half, Houston’s dominance was evident as they capitalized on offensive rebounds and second-chance points. Apart from Knell’s contributions behind the arc, BYU struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 1-of-9 from 3-point range.
Despite Cryer and Uzan’s shooting struggles in the first half, Houston managed to build a substantial lead, heading into halftime with a 39-22 advantage. The team maintained their momentum in the second half, extending their lead to as many as 34 points.
BYU faced challenges throughout the game, ultimately posting a season-low point total against a relentless Houston defense. The outcome was a testament to Houston’s efficiency on both ends of the court, showcasing their depth and ability to capitalize on their opponent’s weaknesses.
Houston’s victory over BYU further solidified their position as a formidable force in the Big 12 conference, with their impressive performance serving as a statement to the rest of the league.
