Quentin Grimes paired a season-high 27 points with a career-best 10 rebounds while Reggie Chaney added a career-high 18 points for the short-handed and sixth-ranked Houston Cougars, who cruised to an 88-55 victory over visiting Alcorn State on Sunday at the Fertitta Center.

Houston (5-0) had only nine players available in its first game in two weeks after pausing team activities following a COVID-19 outbreak. The Cougars were without sophomore guards Caleb Mills and Marcus Sasser yet rode Chaney, Grimes and freshman Jamal Shead, who chipped in 10 points plus three assists. Justin Gorham grabbed 16 rebounds for the Cougars.

Alcorn State (0-2) trailed 35-18 at the break in its first game following six consecutive cancellations. The Braves were without leading scorer Kurk Lee but received 23 points from Troymain Crosby and 16 from David Pierce. Alcorn State shot just 36.2 percent from the floor.

The Braves mustered a threat to open the second half, slicing the deficit to 39-29 when Crosby made the first of two free throws at the 14:53 mark. But Crosby was errant on his second attempt and Grimes answered with a 3-pointer that sparked a 16-3 run that gave the Cougars control.

Houston had three second-chance baskets during the run plus a Shead layup off a turnover before DeJon Jarreau capped the rally with a 3 that pushed the lead to 55-32 with 9:41 to play.

Alcorn State recorded twice as many turnovers (nine) as points by the midpoint of the first half and trailed 18-4. The Braves never found an offensive rhythm prior to the intermission, committing a dozen turnovers that Houston parlayed into 12 points.

Alcorn State endured stretches of 4:07 and 6:20 without a field goal and shot 7 of 23 from the field while going 0 for 9 on 3-pointers.

Houston didn't shoot much better from deep in the first half, missing 9 of 10 attempts. But the Cougars did connect on 11 of 20 inside the arc and turned eight offensive rebounds into 10 second-chance points. Chaney had 10 points by halftime while Gorham corralled 11 rebounds.

--Field Level Media