HOUSTON, Texas | Jackson State fell behind early and never recovered, falling to a hot-shooting No. 4 Houston 97-40 at the Fertitta Center to open the season on Monday night.

Jalen Tatum led Jackson State (0-1) with 14 points in the loss. Shannon Grant and Romelle Mansel added seven points each, with Mansel grabbing six rebounds. L.J. Cryer led Houston (1-0) with 16 points, while Mylik Wilson added 15 for the Cougars who had four players in double figures.

Houston pulled away in the first half shooting 61.3 (19-of-31) percent from the floor and 80.0 (8-of-10) percent from beyond the arc, while holding Jackson State to 22.7 (5-of-22) percent from the floor and 20.0 (2-of-10) percent from beyond the arc.

For the game, Jackson State finished shooting 27.7 (13-of-47) percent from the floor and 17.4 (4-of-23) percent from beyond the arc. They also finished the night shooting 66.7 (10-of-15) percent from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Houston shot 58.2 (39-of-67) percent from the floor and 60.0 (12-of-20) percent from beyond the arc. They also finished the night perfect from the free throw line, hitting all eight attempts.

Game Notes

• Jackson State started its third different lineup (including the two exhibition games) against Houston (Tatum, Keiveon Hunt, Grant, Mansel, and Juan Reyna III).
• The Tigers won the tip but never led, Houston scored the first basket of the game and never trailed.
• Jackson State played without Daeshun Ruffin, Ebo Wilson, Cowandric Samuel, and Avaughn Johnson.

Up Next
Jackson State returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 9 on the road at High Point with a 1 pm (CT) tip set on ESPN+.

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