Alcorn State Braves at Houston Cougars

Houston snaps 2-game skid, tops Alcorn State 89-58

TaShawn Thomas scored 19 points and added 9 rebounds for Houston (7-4), which had lost four of five after starting the year with a six-game winning streak. Danrad Knowles added 19 points for Houston, which improved to 5-0 all-time against the Braves (3-5).

LeAntwan Luckett scored 17 points for Alcorn State, who have dropped three straight games, fell to 0-4 on the road and have not won a game since Nov. 18 against Dillard University.

Marquis Vance added 14 points for the Braves, who have given up at least 88 points in each of the five meetings against Houston.

With the win, Houston improved to 6-1 at home. Jherrod Stiggers added 16 points for the Cougars, who are off until Saturday when they play at Louisiana-Lafayette.

Thomas, the only player in the AAC to rank in the top five in both scoring and rebounds, made eight of his nine shots from the floor. He finished with four assists. J.J. Richardson also scored in double-digits for Houston, making five of his six shots in 17 minutes.

The Braves got within 33-25 on a layup by Octavius brown with 5:15 left in the first half. But Houston responded with a 10-2 run and led 43-29 at the break. Knowles led all Houston scorers with 12 first-half points. Luckett made four of his nine first-half shots and led the Braves with 12 points at halftime.

Both teams traded baskets in the first three minutes of the second half before Houston ran away with a 21-6 run that Thomas started with a layup with 16:40 left. L.J. Rose (seven points) closed the run with a 15-foot jumper that gave Houston a 73-42 lead with 8:16 to go.

Monday's game was the last regular-season home non-conference game for the Cougars. Houston, who spent the last 15 years in Conference USA, will play their first AAC game on New Year's Eve against No. 9 Connecticut.

How can I watch Alcorn State vs. Houston?

• TV Channel: Alcorn State at Houston 2021 College Basketball, week 6, is broadcasted on ESPN3.
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