Caleb Mills scored a game-high 18 points as the Houston Cougars take a 13-point victory over the Tulane Green Waves.

Mills shines as Cougars pick up victory over Tulane

Mills shines as Cougars pick up victory over Tulane
Kelvin Sampson. Getty Images

After a disappointing defeat to the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday, the No. 25 Houston Cougars returned to their winning ways in a 75-62 victory over the Tulane Green Waves, Thursday night, inside the Fertitta Center in Houston. With the win, the Cougars have now won 11 of their last 13 games while improving to 8-2 in conference play.

It was another remarkable performance for freshman guard Caleb Mills, who registered a game-high 18 points while shooting 70% from the field, 57% from behind the arc. While making his return to the starting lineup in nearly a month, sophomore guard Quentin Grimes scored 15 points (6-11 FG, 4-5 FT) and dishing out five assists in the win.

Following a made 3-point field goal by Mills that was assisted by Nate Hinton, the Cougars took their first led of the game with 13 minutes left in the first period. Following the basket, Houston embarked on a 24-4 run to take a 39-21 lead into the halftime break, as the Green Waves missed nine consecutive shot attempts in the first half.

Although Tulane went on a second-half surge where they outscored Houston 41-36, their inability to take care of the basketball played an enormous in the result of the game, as the Cougars converted 19 points off 12 turnovers. While shooting 54% from the floor and connecting on 10 3-point field goals, the Cougars had one of their best offensive performances of the season, as Houston also held a 38-18 advantage in points in the paint.

Hinton came three assists shy of a triple-double, as the sophomore guard tallied in 12 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in the win. In the loss, sophomore Teshaun Hightower recorded 17 points, five rebounds and four steals, with K.J. Lawson adding in 13 points for the Green Wave.

Following the win, the Cougars will continue their two-game homestand on Sunday when they take on the 17-5, 5-4 Wichita State Shockers. Tip-off is slated for 2 P.M. CT.



Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
Kyle Tucker returns to Houston this weekend. Composite Getty Image.

Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.

The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.

The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.

On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.

Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.

It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.

The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.

How the mighty have fallen.

Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.

Screenshot via: MLB.com



___________________________

*ChatGPT assisted.

Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!

https://houston.sportsmap.com/advertise

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome