Sophomore guard Rob Gray Jr. scored 18 of his season-high 26 points in the first half to lead Houston to a 93-78 victory over Murray State in a nonconference game on Wednesday night in Houston.

Junior guard Ronnie Johnson added 17 points as the Cougars (5-0) shot 64 percent from the field and were 10 of 15 from 3-point range. Senior forward Devonta Pollard added 14 points and freshman guard Galen Robinson Jr. scored 13.

Junior forward Gee McGhee scored 17 points and junior guard Bryce Jones had 14 points and 10 assists for the Racers (5-3). Senior forward Jeffery Moss had 14 points, senior forward Wayne Langston contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds and freshman guard Chad Culbreath added 11 points.

Gray finished 10 of 15 from the field and made four 3-pointers. He was 8 of 11 from the floor in the first half and scored five consecutive points to give the Cougars an early 17-8 lead.

Robinson converted a layup to make it a 16-point margin just past the midway point of the half. Houston led 51-35 at the break as it shot 65.6 percent from the field and made six first-half 3-pointers.

Murray State cut its deficit to 55-46 on a 3-pointer by McGhee with 14:17 remaining. The Cougars answered with an 11-2 burst to take a 66-48 advantage on Pollard's dunk with 11:51 left and were never again threatened.