Houston Dominates SIU Edwardsville 78-40 in NCAA Tournament Opener

The top-seeded Houston Cougars dominated the No. 16 SIU Edwardsville Cougars with a convincing 78-40 victory in their first-round matchup of the 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament. Key performances came from Milos Uzan, who scored 16 points, and L.J. Cryer, contributing 15 points and four assists, as Houston established a commanding lead with a 52-24 advantage at halftime. The Cougars' defense stifled SIUE, limiting them to just 30.6% shooting overall and an abysmal 2 of 24 from three-point range. Houston showcased its depth and efficiency, with Ja'Vier Francis adding 13 points and eight rebounds, and the team extending its winning streak to 14 games. The victory sets up a second-round clash against either No. 8 Gonzaga or No. 9 Georgia, as Houston continues its pursuit of a national title. This marked SIUE's first NCAA tournament appearance, and despite the loss, they managed to cheer on their team throughout the game.