Dedan Thomas Jr. scored 20 points, Joseph Tugler added 16 points and four blocked shots and the No. 10 Houston Cougars beat the California Golden Bears 86-68 on Sunday in Stateline, Nev.
Thomas recorded a game-high eight assists while Delrecco Gillespie (13 points, eight rebounds) and Chase McCarty (11 points, three 3-pointers) also scored in double figures for the Cougars (2-0). Houston shot 52.2% and led wire to wire.
The Cougars stretched an 11-point halftime lead to 67-44 at the 12:01 mark of the second half after Gillespie followed his 3-pointer with a driving layup…