L.J. Cryer scores 18, No. 5 Houston dominates Arizona State 80-65
L.J. Cryer scores 18, No. 5 Houston dominates Arizona State 80-65
Houston forward J’Wan Roberts (13) drives on Arizona State forward Basheer Jihad during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson reacts to a call during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona State, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston guard L.J. Cryer (4) drives past Arizona State guard Alston Mason (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston guard Mylik Wilson drives past Arizona State forward Basheer Jihad (8) and guard BJ Freeman during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston guard Emanuel Sharp (21) shoots over Arizona State guard BJ Freeman during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State guard BJ Freeman and Houston forward Joseph Tugler (11) fight for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston forward J’Wan Roberts (13) drives on Arizona State forward Basheer Jihad during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston forward J’Wan Roberts (13) drives on Arizona State forward Basheer Jihad during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson reacts to a call during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona State, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson reacts to a call during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona State, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston guard L.J. Cryer (4) drives past Arizona State guard Alston Mason (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston guard L.J. Cryer (4) drives past Arizona State guard Alston Mason (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston guard Mylik Wilson drives past Arizona State forward Basheer Jihad (8) and guard BJ Freeman during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston guard Mylik Wilson drives past Arizona State forward Basheer Jihad (8) and guard BJ Freeman during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston guard Emanuel Sharp (21) shoots over Arizona State guard BJ Freeman during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston guard Emanuel Sharp (21) shoots over Arizona State guard BJ Freeman during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State guard BJ Freeman and Houston forward Joseph Tugler (11) fight for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State guard BJ Freeman and Houston forward Joseph Tugler (11) fight for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — L.J. Cryer scored 18 points, Emanuel Sharp added 17 and No. 5 Houston dominated Arizona State 80-65 on Tuesday night.
The Cougars (22-4, 14-1 Big 12) moved up a spot in the latest AP Top 25 after grinding out a 62-58 win over No. 19 Arizona on Saturday.
Houston had a much easier time on the second leg of its desert trip, building a 16-point halftime lead and stretching it to 23. The Cougars have won 18 of 19 and have the nation’s longest active road winning streak at 12.
The Sun Devils (12-14, 3-12) had no answers for Houston at either end, even with Jayden Quaintance back after missing two games with a sprained ankle.
Alston Mason had 26 points and B.J. Freeman added 17 to lead the Sun Devils, who have lost six straight.
Houston jumped on Arizona State from the start, hitting 15 of 28 shots to lead 47-31 at halftime. Houston also held the Sun Devils to 3-for-12 shooting on 3-pointers and converted seven turnovers into 15 points.
The Cougars went on an early 7-0 run in the second half to go up 23 and still led by 12 after Arizona State went on a late 11-0 run.
Takeaways
Houston: The Cougars picked up a huge win in the Big 12 race against Arizona and remain two games up after the desert sweep.
Arizona State: The Sun Devils are searching for answers following their seventh straight home loss.
Key moment
Houston gradually built the lead in the first half before hitting 7 of 9 shots to stretch it to 34-22.
Key stat
Sharp shot 4 of 7 on 3s after going scoreless against Arizona.
Up next
Houston hosts No. 8 Iowa State on Saturday, while Arizona State is at Kansas State on Sunday.
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