Milos Uzan scored 14 of his 16 points during the first half to help top seeds Houston Cruise to a victory 78-40 over Siu Edwardsville on Thursday in the Midwest Region first round at Wichita, can.
Lj Cryer scored all 15 points during the first half and Ja’vier Francis had 13 points and eight returns when Houston (31-4) easily beat 16-seeded Siu Edwardsville (22-12).
In a winning line with 14 games, Houston will meet either No. 8 Gonzaga or No. 9 Georgia in the second round on Saturday.
Siu Edwardsville star Ray’s Taylor had 10 points in just 3-AV-13-shooting. Taylor ended his career with a school record 1,962 points.
His cousin, Brian Taylor, also had 10 points for Edwardsville, who qualified for his first NCAA tournament by winning the Ohio Valley Conference Posteason tournament.
Houston shot a dry 61.3 percent during the first half but fell to 22.9 in the second to end at 40.9 percent in total. Houston was 8 out of 13 from 3-point intervals during the first half but ended up 10 out of 28.
Houston had a dominant 50-27 rebounding advantage. Emanuel Sharp had four of Houston’s 11 steals. J’wan Roberts had six points and three returns in 20 minutes after missing Houston previously three matches with an ankle injury.
Edwardsville made only 5 out of 25 shots (20 percent) during the second half and ended at 30.6 for the match. Edwardsville was a low 2 out of 24 behind the bow with Ray’s Taylor who lacked seven of his eight attempts.
Cryer made four first half three, Uzan was 6-of-7 shooting and Francis had 11 points when Houston led 52-24 at the break.
Edwardsville last led at 4-2 before Cougars ripped off a 19-2 wave. Francis’ Jumper covered it and made it 21-6 with 12:05 left.
Houston’s advantage reached 20 when Francis made two free throw to make it 36-16 with 5:49 left.
Cryer finished half in style with two 3 points in the last 35 seconds, the latter beat the narrow summer.
Robert’s basket to open the second half of the year pressed the lead to 30.
Houston’s advantage reached 40 on Mylik Wilson’s jumper to make it 72-32 with 6:45.
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