Houston Christian University Athletics

HOUSTON --- Houston Christian University raced out to a 10-0 lead and never looked back, coasting to a 108-73 victory over crosstown foe College of Biblical Studies-Houston on Friday night in historic Frank and Lucille Sharp Gymnasium. The win gives the Huskies a 4-0 start to a season for the first time since 2005-06.
 
The Huskies got back-to-back three-balls from D'Aundre Samuels and Max Alexander within the first two minutes, and monster alley-oop from Samuels to Mambourou Mara gave HCU their opening 10-spot. The lead would grow to 17, 22-5 with 14:18 to go in the half after a dunk by Shawn Simmons II and a layup from Kris Keinys.
 
CBS mounted a run and by the nine-minute mark had clawed their deficit down to just eight on a jumper by Frank Madubuko. The Huskies withstood the burst, and built their lead back up to 21 on a three-pointer from Aiden Miller with 4:28 on the scoreboard before the break. HCU went into the intermission ahead 19, 52-33.
 
Mara threw down a massive dunk to open the second stanza, and moments later it was Max Alexander and Chris Mubiru nailing consecutive treys to give HCU a 64-40 lead. The lead would grow to 30 after Bubz Alvarez put together back-to-back buckets on a steal and breakaway dunk followed by a three-ball, giving HCU a comfortable 79-49 lead.
 
HCU pushed the lead to 35 on a move down the lane and emphatic hammer from Kris Keiyns which was immmediately followed by a tip-in from Shawn Simmons. The Huskies would coast to the finish line from there, pushing their advantage to as many as 37 down the stretch.
 
It was the second time in four games that the Huskies have hit the century mark, both with 108. HCU was extremely generous on the evening, dishing out 34 assists on 40 made baskets, including a 12-27 showing from long range.

Seven players dented double-digits for HCU, led by Mambourou Mara who recorded his second double-double of the evening with team-highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds. D'Aundre Samuels had 14 points and a game-high seven assists while Bubz Alvarez added 14 points and tied a career-high with five helpers.
 
Shawn Simmons II had 12 points and five boards, Kris Keinys had 11 and six caroms and Chris Mubiru went 3-3 from deep for 11 points to go with five boards and four dimes. Max Alexander rounded out the group with 10 points and five assists while Kam Clark hauled down a career-best nine boards.
 
Odis Carter, Jr. led Biblical Studies (1-4) with 26 points. Marquice Scott was the only other Ambassador in double-figures with 12, while Dasean Brodie led CBS with 10 rebounds.
 
HCU has now won four in a row to open the season for the first time since 2005-06. HCU returns to action next Thursday when it hosts former Trans America Conference rival Georgia Southern University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm.
 
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