no. 2 Houston Dominates Rider 91-45 in Decisive Victory
HOUSTON, TX – No. 2 Houston overpowered rider 91-45 on Thursday night, showcasing a dominant performance on both ends of the court. The Cougars’ victory moves them to 5-0 on the season, continuing their strong start as they prepare for a challenging stretch of games.
The lopsided contest underscored Houston’s strength as a national contender and highlighted Rider’s early-season struggles. The win provides a confidence boost for the Cougars before they head to Las Vegas for the Players Era Championship,while Rider will look to rebound against Coppin State next week. Houston’s ability to force turnovers and capitalize on them with 33 points proved to be a key factor in securing the decisive win.
Kingston Flemings led Houston with 18 points, efficiently shooting 8-for-10 from the field. Emanuel Sharp contributed 15 points to the Cougars’ offensive effort. Mercy Miller added 14 points off the bench, complemented by joseph Tugler’s 12 points and nine rebounds, and 12 points from Chris Cenac Jr.
Houston established control early, racing to a 17-2 led midway through the first half on a Flemings layup. The cougars maintained a double-digit advantage for the remainder of the game, entering halftime with a commanding 47-25 lead fueled by 59% shooting from the field. Flemings was especially effective in the first half, scoring 14 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting.
Rider struggled with its shooting, finishing the game at 31% overall and a dismal 4-of-17 from beyond the arc. Caleb Smith paced Rider with 13 points,while Zion Cruz added nine.
Houston finished the game shooting 56% from the field and converting 10 of 26 three-point attempts. The Cougars’ aggressive defense forced 23 Rider turnovers, which they converted into a meaningful scoring advantage.
Looking ahead: Rider will host Coppin State on tuesday night. Houston will face Syracuse on Monday in Las Vegas, kicking off a three-game series at the Players Era championship.
