HOUSTON, TEXAS – Armoni Brooks hit seven 3-pointers and led the Cougars with a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds, as Houston (18-5, 8-3) defeated SMU (15-9, 5-6) 67-58 at H&PE Arena on Thursday night. Houston picks up its second straight win and remains undefeated at home with an 11-0 record this season. The victory pushes the Cougars into The American’s second place spot, alongside Wichita State.
Houston shot 45 percent (23-51) from the field, while SMU wasn’t far behind at 41 percent (21-51). Both teams had strong starts, as the Cougars led by three points (36-33) at halftime. Brooks and SMU’s leading scorer, Jahmal McMurray, matched each other with 15 points at the break. However, McMurray was held to just a field goal in the second half and concluded the night with a team-best 17 points for the Mustangs.
The Cougars pulled away in the second half, allowing no field goals in the final 6:50 to secure the victory. Rob Gray chipped in, scoring 15 points in the second half and had seven assists.