In their first game action of the 2024-25 college basketball season, the No. 4 Houston Cougars look every bit the part of a national championship contender.

It’s just one half of a charity exhibition game, but the Cougars have flashed depth, scoring ability, length and their trademark suffocating defense on the way to a 38-28 halftime lead over No. 13 Texas A&M.

Kelvin Sampson went with a starting lineup of LJ Cryer, Emanuel Sharp, J’Wan Roberts, Milos Uzan and Joseph Tugler vs. the Aggies. Ja’Vier Francis is dealing with a groin injury and was in street clothes. He’s expected to be ready for next week’s season opener.

Cryer led the Cougars with 9 points in the first half, and Sharp added 8. Terrance Arceneaux chipped in 6 points. Houston shot 8-for-17 from the 3-point line and outrebounded the Aggies 24-16.

Tugler struggled from the field (0-for-5), but looked explosive and led all players with 8 rebounds. He has one of the longest wingspans in the country at 7-foot-6. Roberts racked up 4 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in the first half. Uzan had 5 points and shot 2-for-7 from the field.

Wade Taylor IV led Texas A&M with 12 points.

The exhibition game benefits the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance Hurricane Beryl Recovery Fund, which assists those who were affected by the hurricane.

You can watch the game on ESPN+.

Second Half Updates

Houston 79, Texas A&M 64, Final: Kelvin Sampson emptied the bench early as the Cougars cruised to victory. LJ Cryer led the Cougars with 18 points in 23 minutes. He was 6-for-12 from 3-point range.

Houston 64, Texas A&M 42, 7:27 left: Terrance Arceneaux and J’Wan Roberts are now in double digits with 10 points apiece. LJ Cryer leads all scorers with 18 points. Roberts’ jump hook is unguardable.

Houston 53, Texas A&M 34, 13:09 left: The Cougars are pulling away behind 3-point shooting and rebuounding. They’re now 11-for-23 from the 3-point line and have a 29-17 rebounding advantage over the Aggies.

Houston 46, Texas A&M 30, 15:39 left: LJ Cryer has buried two more 3-pointers in the first four minutes of the second half to give the Cougars a 16-point lead. Cryer now has 15 points on the game.

First Half Highlights

Emanuel Sharp buries a 3-pointer to open the game:

Terrance Arceneau, coming off an ACL injury, drains a 3-pointer in transition:

LJ Cryer knocks down a deep 3-pointer:

Freshman Mercy Miller flashes his athleticism by splitting a double team and throwing down a two-handed dunk: