Houston guard Bryce Jackson (6) reacts to his teammate during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Montana Tech, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at Fertitta Center. | Oscar Herrera/The Cougar
Houston men’s basketball rolled in its first exhibition game of the 2026 season, with a 110-53 victory over Montana Tech in the Fertitta Center on Oct. 15.
Six Cougars hit the double-digit mark, with sophomore guard Chase McCarty leading with 19 points.
Senior forward Delrecco Gilespie was second on the team with 13 points, draining all five of his shot attempts. He also added 5 rebounds.
Sophomore guard Kordel Jefferson, freshman center Arafan Diane, freshman guard Ikenna Alozie and senior forward Joseph Tugler all finished with 10 or more points.
Tugler also finished leading the team in rebounds with nine.
Jefferson was perfect from beyond the arc, hitting all four of his attempts. McCarty was also efficient from three-point land, as he nailed five of his six attempts.
It was Houston’s game from the jump, as it opened up a 22-4 run in the first half before it went into the tunnel leading 56-29. Montana Tech hit just six total field goals in the second half compared to Houston’s five 3-pointers.
Sophomore guard Asher Williams led the Orediggers in points with 12 while senior forward Justin Asi led the team in rebounds with five.
While this game may seem like an ordinary exhibition game, it holds extra weight for head coach Kelvin Sampson. He was Montana Tech’s head coach from 1981-1985, where he led the Orediggers to three straight conference championships.
“I was 25 and their basketball program wasn’t very good, but neither was I,” said Sampson. “They took a chance on a guy that probably else would have or should have.”
In the postgame press conference, Sampson recalled how he and his future wife Karen were “just surviving” out in Butte, Montana. With their limited income, the two would go to the gym and have kayak races for entertainment.
He cherishes that time, however, saying that it was a great time in their lives.
Sampson also remembers how the other coaches felt about him in his first year as Montana Tech’s head coach.
“I still remember all the coaches. I’m sure they felt sorry for me that first year, but maybe not after that.”
sports@thedailycougar.com
