Houston Downs Grambling State 88-42 in First Game of Season for Both Teams

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2011 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 12, 2011) Starting of with a 13-0 run in the first half, the Houston Cougars totally dominated a weak Grambling State team 88-42 in the first game for both teams of the 2011-2012 season.

The Cougars were led by redshirt freshman guard Joseph Young who tallied 18 points along with seven assists.

He was aided in Houston’s offensive assault by freshman TaShawn Thomas, who scored 13 points; adding eight rebounds and five assists.

Sophomore Alandise Harris went 7-of-10 for 14 points, with senior Darian Thibodeaux and Jonathon Simmons scoring 11 each.

Rebounding was a problem all season last year for the Cougars and that situation seems to be continuing in 2011; although it does seem to be getting better.

Houston recorded 39 rebounds against the Tigers, grabbing 15 on the offensive side and 24 on the defensive end.

Houston head coach James Dickey addressed that very topic in his post game interview:

We have to do a better job rebounding. We didn’t turn the ball over asmuch tonight. Our guy’s shot selection for the most part was very good. We ran the floor well and we were active defensively. We had close to 45 deflections in the game.

Grambling was led by Raschard Boatner who recorded 15 point and four assists.

Steven Danridge contributed 10 points and nine rebounds in the Tigers’ loss.

The Cougars will get one day to rest, recuperate and prepare for their next game of the season.

They will face Utah Valley in a 7:00 PM CT match up on Monday.