HCU vs. UTSA
Houston Christian University plays the second half of a two-game homestand on Monday, hosting UTSA in Sharp Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm with the game being broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Huskies are coming off an 83-74 loss in the home opener to Florida International. HCU got out in front early, but a late first-half charge from FIU put the visitors in the driver's seat, forcing the Huskies to chase for the remainder of the evening. HCU trailed by 10 at the break, but every second-half spurt was met head on by the Panthers, who held on down the stretch for the win.
Pierce Bazil led the Huskies with 16 points as a trio of Huskies dented double-digits on the evening. Bruce Carpenter and Michael Imariagbe were the other two in double-figures, as each made and impressive Sharp Gym debut. Carpenter went for 15 points, three boards and three assists, while Imariagbe netted 14 points and swatted a career-high four shots. Bonke Maring had 11 rebounds and four assists, both team-highs.
Bazil and Imariagbe at 12.5 ppg each, join Marcus Greene as double-digit scorers early in the campaign. Greene, a transfer from Panola College who played his freshman campaign at Sacramento State, leads the club at 13.5 points per game.
Imariagbe, a transfer from McMurry, leads the Huskies shooting a robust 78.6%. Bazil leads the team at 3.5 assists and is second in rebounds at five per outing. Bonke Maring leads HCU at 6.5 rebounds per and is second in assists at 2.5 per game.
UTSA enters Sharp Gym with a 1-3 mark on the season, having lost three in a row since a season-opening victory over Western Illinois. Monday will be the third game in a week for the Roadrunners, who lost last Tuesday at Lamar and on Friday at Texas State.
Adante' Holiman, a 6'0 transfer guard from UTRGV, leads the Runners in scoring at 13 points per game, followed by 6'3 guard Christian Tucker at 10.5 per. Tucker also leads the team in assists at 5.5 per outing.
6'6 grad transfer Dre Fuller Jr. averages 8.7 ppg and 8.0 rebounds, while the post combo of 6'10 Trey Edmonds and 7'0 Carlton Linguard Jr. goes for 17.8 points and 15.2 rebounds.
HCU and UTSA have met 10 times, with series knotted at five games apiece. The two teams haven't met since 2018-19, when the Roadrunners snuck out of Sharp Gym with an 86-82 win.
Following Monday's game in Sharp, the Huskies will hit the road for their next three ballgames. HCU will next be in action when it travels to Stillwater, Oklahoma for a Black Friday contest against Oklahoma State. The Huskies will complete that portion of the road swing with a Monday night tilt at TCU, before finishing off the stretch against cross-town rival Rice on December 2.
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