Men’s Basketball Rolls in Exhibition Win over #16/18 Michigan

Sunday, October 25

Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids, Mich.

Noon CT

University of Houston

0-0,0-0Big 12

Michigan (exhibition)

0-0,0-0Big Ten

Team	1	2	F
Houston	38	45	83
Michigan	31	35	66

Dedan Thomas Jr. yells during Houston's exhibition win over Michigan

10/24/2026 8:22:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Game Book (PDF)

Four Cougars score in double digits in 83-66 win on Sunday

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Senior point guard Dedan Thomas Jr. scored 25 points to lead the University of Houston Men's Basketball team to an 83-66 exhibition win over #16/18 Michigan during The Battleground 2k26 inside Van Andel Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Competing in his first season with the Cougars after transferring from LSU, Thomas Jr. connected on 8-of-14 from the field and led all players with seven assists to go with three rebounds and two steals.

The Las Vegas native was one of four Cougars to score in double figures as graduate forward Delrecco Gillespie (16), sophomore forward Chase McCarty (15) and junior guard Mercy Miller (13) paced the Houston offense.

Fifth year guard Roddy Gayle Jr. was the leading scorer for the Wolverines with 14 followed by junior center Moustapha Thiam with 12.

The Cougars jumped out to a 24-14 lead midway through the first half before the Wolverines used a 15-1 run to build a 29-25 lead on Oscar Goodman's 3-pointer with just over five minutes remaining in the opening half.

Fortunately, the Cougars closed with a 13-2 run and took a 38-31 lead into the locker room at the break.

Houston and Michigan went back and forth in the second half with Houston using an 8-0 run early to push the Cougars to comfortable lead they never relinquish,

Playing his home state, graduate forward Delrecco Gillespie scored 16 points and tied for the team lead with six rebounds. A transfer after playing four seasons at Kent State, Gillespie hails from Benton Harbor, Mich., which is about 80 miles southwest of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr. led the Wolverines with 14 points while center Moustapha Thiam totaled 12 points with a game-high eight rebounds.

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UP NEXT
• Following Sunday's game, Houston opens its 2026-27 regular-season schedule when it plays host to La Salle at 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 2, inside Fertitta Center.
• It will be the first meeting against the Explorers since the 1975-76 season.
• That game can be heard on 950 AM KPRC, SiriusXM and the Varsity Network app.

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