After falling below .500 last week, the Houston Tigers got back on the winning track with consecutive wins.
Sophomore Jesse Setters led five Tigers in double figures with 13 points as Houston opened the 37th annual Liberty Invitational Monday night with a 67-49 victory against Licking. The Tigers snapped a three-game losing skid Friday night by cruising past Mountain Grove 47-34.
Jonathan Page and Ryan O’Neil scored 11 points apiece Monday night against Licking. Chad Hutsell and Ty Scheets added 10 points each.
The victory was Houston’s seventh of the season – eclipsing last year’s total when the Tigers were 6-18 under departed coach Aaron Griffin.
Houston (7-5) jumped ahead of Licking 19-8 after one quarter and was never threatened. The Tigers led by 13 points at the half.
Michael Buckner led Houston with 17 points Friday night in an easy road win. The Tigers scored 14 of the game’s first 16 points.
Page added 13 points as the only other player in double figures.
Houston faces Alton at 5 tonight (Thursday) in the second game of the Liberty Invitational.
Monday’s Game
Houston 19 14 14 20 – 67
Licking 8 12 14 15 – 49
HOUSTON (7-6) – Page 5 1-2 11. Oakley 1 1-2 3. Buckner 4 1-3 9. Setters 4 2-2 13. O’Neil 3 3-6 11. Hutsell 4 0-0 10. TScheets 5 0-0 10. Totals 26 8-15 67.
LICKING – Mordis 3 1-5 7. Bean 1 0-0 2. Williams 10 0-1 20. Hunt 3 0-1 5. Vestal 6 0-0 11. Totals 24 1-6 49.
3-pointers: Houston 6 (Setters 2, O’Neil 2, Hutsell 2); Licking 2 (Hunt, Vestall).
Friday’s Game
Houston 14 12 13 8 – 47
Mountain Grove 2 14 6 11 – 34
HOUSTON (6-6) – Page 6 1-2 13. Oakley 1 0-0 2. Buckner 5 4-4 17. Setters 1 0-0 3. O’Neil 2 0-0 4. Hutsell 1 0-1 2. TScheets 3 0-0 6. Totals 19 5-7 47.
MTN. GROVE (0-10) – White 4 4-4 14. Hale 3 0-0 9. Williams 0 0-1 0. Dobson 1 0-0 2. Shannon 3 4-6 10. Totals 11 7-8 34.
3-pointers: Houston 4 (Buckner 3, Setters); Mtn. Grove 5 (Hale 3, White 2).
