Houston Rolls Past La Salle in Season Opener

Dedan Thomas Jr. led Houston with 16 points, while Corey Hadnot II scored 14 as the Cougars began their season by beating La Salle 94-55 on November 2. Delrecco Gillespie added 13 points, and Arafan Diane and Chase McCarty had 10 apiece. McCarty scored all of his points before halftime, when Houston was ahead 43-23.

Houston shot 54% from the field and held a 47-32 rebounding edge. The Cougars scored 44 points in the paint, compared with 10 for La Salle, and converted 19 turnovers into 25 points. La Salle shot 25% overall and made eight of its 39 attempts from three-point range. Kam Burton scored 15 points for the Explorers, and Devin Booker added 12.

Houston built a 20-3 lead in the first half. La Salle briefly narrowed the margin with an 8-0 run, but the Cougars closed the half with a 23-12 stretch. Players were called for 46 fouls, three technical fouls and one flagrant foul. Houston made 27 of 37 free throws; La Salle went 17 for 23.

Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said McCarty’s knee injury, which sent him out of the game, was not serious. Houston next faces California in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, on November 8. La Salle is scheduled to host Long Island on November 7.