Francis scores 23, No. 3 Houston beats McNeese State 83-44

By The Associated Press
Houston guard Emanuel Sharp, left, falls backward on a rebound past McNeese State forward Roberts Berze, rear, and Houston forward Ja'Vier Francis (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Michael Wyke]

HOUSTON (AP) — Ja’Vier Francis scored a career-high 23 points and had 13 rebounds as No. 3 Houston routed McNeese State 83-44. Emanuel Sharp added 18 points while going 6 of 9 on 3-pointers for the Cougars, and Marcus Sasser hit 5 of 10 from long range and scored 17 points. The pair combined to shoot 9 of 14 on 3s in the first half. Coming off a hard-fought 69-61 win at then-No. 2 Virginia, Houston had an easier time scoring. The Cougars went 11 of 20 from long range in the opening half and led 42-19 at the break. Roberts Berze scored 13 points and Christian Shumate added 10 for McNeese State. The Cowboys lost their fourth straight game.

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