Houston Cougars vs. Middle Tennessee State: Live Updates
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The Houston Cougars return to the basketball court for the first time in over a week to close out the nonconference portion of their schedule with one final game before starting the heart of a challenging Big 12 conference schedule.
The Coogs gear up to host a member of Conference USA, the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders, on Monday night. Throughout its first 11 games of the season, Middle Tennessee State heads into the Fertitta Center with a 7-4 record, currently riding a two-game winning streak.
This matchup serves as the Coogs' final game of their 13-game non-conference slate, which ends with the meeting with the Blue Raiders. Throughout the first portion of the season, the Coogs sit with an 11-1 record and look to build more momentum heading forward towards conference play.
Houston Cougars vs. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Last time on the hardwood, the Cougars picked up one of their best wins of the season after defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks 94-85 in the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
It was another big performance from veteran guard Emanuel Sharp, who ended the match-up as the Coogs' leading scorer with 22 points while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.
It's no surprise to see Sharp being the Coogs go-to scorer, as many expect the senior to do so. Through the first 12 games of the season, Sharp is Houston's leading scorer, averaging 17.6 points per game, shooting 45 percent from the field while also averaging three rebounds, two assists, and a steal per game.
Also in that game against the Razorbacks, freshman guard Kingston Flemings once again added to the stellar start in his freshman campaign with a 21-point performance.
Flemings is currently Houston's second leading scorer, averaging 15 points per game on nearly 60 percent shooting from the field. The freshman has also been impactful in many other ways, averaging 4.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and two steals per game.
While the matchup against Middle Tennessee State is favorable for the Cougars, they should not overlook the Blue Raiders, who have a few key players Houston needs to keep its eye out for. The biggest is leading scorer guard Jahvin Carter, who is averaging 13 points per game and shooting hooting 45.5 percent.
Elsewhere is another guard to keep tabs on, Kamari Lands, who is tied for second for the most points scored with 12.5 points per game.
The Cougars finish up their nonconference schedule, taking on the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders at 7:00 PM at the Fertitta Center, and be sure to check back here at tipoff for live updates as the game goes on.
Follow below for live updates as the game progresses
Live Updates
Houston's starting lineup: guard Kingston Flemings, guard Milson Uzan, guard Emanuel Sharp, forward Joseph Tugler, center Chris Cenac Jr.
Houston wins the tipoff and is up and running from the Fertitta Center.
Under 16 Timeout
It's been a back-and-forth opening sequence in this one, with Middle Tennessee State leading 8-6 with 14:44 minutes left in the opening half.
For the Coogs, Chris Cenac Jr, Milos Uzan, and Emanuel Sharp have found their first bucket of the night, while Blue Raiders forward Chris Loofe is finding a rhythm from outside the arc, making two consecutive three-point shots, and forward Sean Smith also has a made shot.
Under 12 Timeout
The Blue Raiders are not shying away in this game, still holding a lead now up 14-13 with 11:44 minutes left in the first half of play.
Middle Tennessee is finding a rhythm, making its last three straight field goal attempts, two of which were from beyond the arc. The Cougars need to find a roll themselves with a stretch of making just one of their last seven field goal attempts before a made three-pointer from Ramon Walker Jr.
Under 8 Timeout
The Blue Raiders stay hot, continue to lead in this one, the score now 19-16, with under eight minutes left to go in the first half.
Middle Tennessee keeps rolling from the field, making five of its last seven shot attempts, while the Coogs have not started great in the game, with a scoring drought nearing four minutes at one point, and are shooting under 30 percent from the field.
Under 4 Timeout
The Cougars finally found a rhythm and have regained the lead of the game, up 28-25, with 3:27 minutes left in the opening half.
Off the back of a 10-to-nothing run and a near four-minute scoring drought from Middle Tennessee State, the Coogs are finally back on top in the matchup.
