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

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.



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The Houston Astros managed to win the AL West once again, and while things got a little nerve wracking toward the end of the season, when it mattered most, the 'Stros took care of business.

It certainly didn't hurt to get a little help from the Mariners, beating the Rangers 1-0 on Sunday, paving the way for the Astros to secure the division. Rangers fans and members of their broadcast team were none too pleased with the Diamondbacks resting some of their starters on Sunday.

But let's be real, with the division on the line, the Rangers couldn't even manage to score a single run on Sunday against Seattle. That's why they're playing in the Wild Card series, not because of how Arizona approached Sunday's game.

So what did we learn during these must-win games over the last week? A lot was made of GM Dana Brown's comments on the team's flagship station. Brown was hoping manager Dusty Baker would put the best offensive lineup on the field. Yainer Diaz did not start a single game of the Diamondbacks series. But Chas McCormick played every game of the Mariners and Diamondbacks series, except for the finale against Seattle, after being hit in the back with a fastball the night before.

Michael Brantley played in two of three against Arizona, so he appears to be an option Dusty will turn to moving forward. And with the Astros only scoring 1 and 2 runs in two of the three wins against the D-Backs, the Astros need every bit of offense they can get.

Plus, we discuss how getting extra rest for Michael Brantley, Jose Abreu, and the bullpen could pay huge dividends for the club. And don't look now, but Jose Abreu is getting hot at just the right time!

Be sure to watch the video above for the full discussion.

And be sure to watch Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) every Monday on SportMapHouston's YouTube channel.

Listen to ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM for Houston's best sports talk.


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