Houston beats Abilene Christian 71-59

HOUSTON (AP) Jherrod Stiggers scored a career-high 23 points and had five assists, Devonta Pollard scored a career-high 22 and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Houston beat Abilene Christian 71-59 on Saturday night.

Eric Weary Jr. scored 15 points and Houston (4-1) hit 10 of 22 shots from beyond the arc.

Parker Wentz led Abilene Christian (3-4) with 18 points, LaDarrien Williams had 15 and Christian Albright grabbed 10 rebounds.

The lead changed hands five times with three ties before Williams put Abilene Christian up 22-20 with a jumper at 7:18. Stiggers hit back-to-back 3-pointers, Pollard hit consecutive buckets, and Houston led 33-25 at halftime.

Williams hit back-to-back field goals and the Wildcats closed to within six, 55-49, at 8:30 in the second half. Wentz made a 3 at 5:53 to pull within two, 57-55, but the Cougars found answers and finished with a 13-2 run in which Pollard scored five points.