No. 10 Houston routs La Salle 94-55 in season opener

Dominant Home Debut

The No. 10 Houston Cougars delivered a commanding performance on Monday, November 2, 2026, defeating the La Salle Explorers 94-55 in their season opener. Playing in front of a crowd of 7,035 at the Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas, the home team established a commanding lead early and never looked back, improving their record to 1-0 while dropping La Salle to 0-1 on the year.

Early Momentum

Houston controlled the tempo from the opening tip, leading 43-23 after the first half. The Cougars’ offense was multifaceted, with Dedan Thomas Jr. leading the charge with 16 points and five assists. Delrecco Gillespie provided a strong presence on the glass, recording seven rebounds for the home side. The Explorers struggled to find consistent rhythm against the defensive pressure, managing only 23 points before intermission.

Second-Half Control

The second half continued the trend, with Houston extending their lead to a final margin of 39 points. La Salle’s Kam Burton was the team’s leading scorer with 15 points, while RJ Smith contributed five assists. Bowyn Beatty also matched Gillespie with seven rebounds for the visitors. Despite efforts by the Explorers to close the gap, the Cougars maintained their offensive efficiency, finishing with a total of 94 points compared to La Salle’s 55.

Season Records

The result stands as a decisive victory for the Cougars, who now hold a 1-0 record in their 2026-27 campaign. La Salle enters the next phase of their schedule with a 0-1 record, looking to adjust after a difficult debut on the road in Texas.

Sources

ESPN