Dedan Thomas Jr. continued his dominant start to the season, orchestrating a commanding 86-68 victory for No. 10 Houston over Cal on Sunday night at the Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic in Stateline, Nevada. The LSU transfer point guard was the engine behind the Cougars’ offense, finishing with 20 points and eight assists while shooting 9-of-15 from the field. This performance marked the second consecutive game where Thomas led Houston in scoring, further cementing his status as the team’s primary playmaker and offensive anchor in the early stages of the 2024-25 campaign.
Thomas scores 20, dishing eight assists as Cougars extend unbeaten run against unranked foes.
Supporting Thomas, Joseph Tugler provided a robust interior presence with 16 points and four blocks, helping the Cougars maintain their defensive integrity throughout the contest. The win extends Houston’s impressive streak against unranked opponents to 42 games, highlighting the team’s consistency and depth. Additionally, forward Chase McCarty returned to the starting lineup after suffering a sprained left knee in the season opener against La Salle. McCarty made an immediate impact, contributing 11 points in just 12 minutes, including three three-pointers, two of which came in the game’s opening minutes to set the tone for Houston’s early lead.
The game also featured a significant moment for guard Chendall Weaver, who made his season debut in 15 minutes of action. Weaver, a transfer from Texas seeking a fifth year of eligibility, scored six points and recorded three steals. His return to the court follows a temporary restraining order granted by a Tarrant County district court on Nov. 4. Weaver injected energy into the lineup early on, sparking a 30-second run that included a dunk off a missed shot and converting a steal into a fastbreak dunk, showcasing the electric playmaking ability Houston expects from its veteran guard.
Source: Yahoo Sports
