Houston, Texas – Texas State (7-6) battled hard tonight, but Houston (8-5) came away with the 94-71 win tonight at Hofheinz Pavilion. The Bobcats found themselves down at multiple times in the game, but never gave up. Houston turned on the burner midway through the second half to take the win to split the series this season.

Matt Staff led all Bobcats with 16 points and five rebounds. Reid Koenen had 12 points, Brooks Ybarra added 11 points and Eddie Rios chipped in 10 points.

Texas State was able to cut Houston's lead 48-44 at the beginning of the second period after three layups and a three-pointer. From then, the Cougars were able to take advantage on the offensive side of the ball as they took a 66-50 lead with 10:48 remaining.

After the 10-minute mark, Houston was able to stay one step ahead of Texas State. The Cougars capitalized on missed shots by the Bobcats and held the edge on the boards. Texas State used its entire bench, but it could not muster up the points needed to give the Bobcats the win tonight. Jordan Kirschke hit a three-pointer with seconds left on the clock; unfortunately, it was Houston who came away with the 94-71 win tonight.

A pair of three-pointers and a layup gave the Cougars an 8-0 lead to start the game. When it looked like Texas State was beginning to get itself into a jam, they were able to battle back against the Cougars. With the score reading 30-10 in the home teams' favor, the Bobcats outscored the Cougars, 22-6 to come to within four points. Houston made back-to-back three pointers with under a minute left, but Rios drained a trey with time expiring as Texas State entered the locker room down, 42-35.

The Cougars out-rebounded the Bobcats, 52-25. The Bobcats struggled from the floor making 25 of 65 shots (38.5%); 6 of 17 (35.3%) from long range.

Houston was led by Joseph Young who came off the bench to lead all scorers with 25 points (9-for-12). The other Cougars finished in double digits as Houston shot 53.8 percent from the floor.

Texas State will open up Southland Conference play on Wednesday, Jan. 4 when it hosts Stephen F. Austin. Tip-off at Strahan Coliseum is slated for 7 p.m. The Bobcats will then travel to Natchitoches, La. to face Northwestern State on the 7^th.

Notes

Tonight's game was the second meeting this season…TXST beat UH on Dec. 6, 81-78 at home…Starters: Vonn Jones, Wesley Davis, Brooks Ybarra, Reid Koenen and Matt Staff…Third straight game with this lineup…Staff is the only player to start all 13 games this season…Texas State is now 2-5 when trailing at the half and 0-5 in road games.