Thomas Powers Cougars Past Golden Bears
Dedan Thomas Jr. delivered a 20-point, eight-assist performance to lead the Houston Cougars to an 86-68 victory over the California Golden Bears on Sunday. The home team dominated the contest at the Tahoe Blue Event Center in Stateline, Nevada, where 2,496 fans watched Houston secure its second win of the season. The Cougars improved to a 2-0 record, while the Golden Bears dropped to 2-1.
Early Lead and Half-Time Dominance
Houston established control early in the first half, building a significant cushion that they never relinquished. The Cougars led 43-32 at the break, highlighting their efficiency on both ends of the floor. Delrecco Gillespie provided a physical presence in the paint, grabbing eight rebounds to support the offensive surge.
The home team’s balanced attack allowed them to maintain a comfortable lead heading into the second half, setting the stage for a decisive final stretch.
Second-Half Control and Final Margin
The momentum carried over into the second half, with Houston extending their advantage. Michael Cooper led the visiting Golden Bears with 19 points, while Jordan Ross contributed five assists and Semetri Carr secured six rebounds for California. Despite efforts from the away squad to close the gap, the Cougars’ consistency in the paint and from beyond the arc proved too much to overcome.
