Kyler Edwards scores 17 points as No. 7 Houston tops UCF

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Houston Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson said the thing that separates his team from many others is the squad’s willingness to defend at a high level even when shots aren’t falling.

On Saturday night, the No. 7 Cougars were able to overcome a shaky offensive performance by riding their stellar defense to a 63-49 defeat of UCF.

"Last year’s team went 28-4, and more often than not, defense is why that team got to the Final Four. This year’s team had to buy into that," said Sampson, whose Cougars held UCF to 34.6 percent shooting and a season-low 49 points. "I tell people all the time, it’s not hard to get talent because you can get good players. But it’s about getting kids to play for something bigger than themselves, and that’s what the defense is for us."

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Jan 29, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA;  Houston Cougars guard Kyler Edwards (11) shoots a free throw against the UCF Knights in the first half at Addition Financial Arena. (Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports)

Kyler Edwards scored 13 of his 17 points in the first half and Josh Carlton added 13 points and 15 rebounds as Houston won its 10th straight game. Houston (18-2, 7-0) rallied from an early nine-point deficit and maintained control over the final 30 minutes despite shooting just 38.9 percent from the floor. The Cougars closed the first half with a 19-4 run and held firm in the second half even after UCF clawed to within 42-39.

Fabian White Jr. added 11 points and it was his 3-pointer that blunted UCF’s rally to within three points of the Cougars.

"We have a lot of vets and older guys, so we’re not really fazed with the crowd getting loud or a