No. 10 Houston rolls past California as Weaver takes court amid eligibility battle

When fifth-year guard Corey Hadnot II missed a shot early in the first half, fellow fifth-year guard Chendall Weaver swooped in for the offensive rebound and turned it into a slam.

“If someone were to ask, ‘What’s Houston basketball?’ they would show a clip of (Chendall Weaver),” Hadnot said ahead of Houston’s matchup with California in the Lake Tahoe Classic, when it was still unclear whether the Texas transfer, stuck in eligibility limbo, would play.

After Sunday, there are in-game clips of Weaver in a Houston uniform, cashing in quick points and floating above the rim after the Tarrant County District Court granted him a temporary restraining order ahead of the meeting.

Within a minute of entering, he turned that offensive rebound into a dunk, then converted a steal on the opposite end into another slam as No. 10 Houston defeated California 86-68.

Weaver finished with six points, six rebounds and three steals in 15 minutes of play. The restraining order will remain in effect until Nov. 19, after which he will need either an extension or a temporary injunction from the court to continue competing.

Senior point guard Dedan Thomas Jr. finished with 20 points as four Cougars starters scored in double figures.

Senior forward JoJo Tugler recorded three of his four blocks and eight of his points in the first five minutes, helping Houston build an early cushion. Fifth-year big man Delrecco Gillespie, who reached 1,000 career points, added 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds.

Junior forward Chase McCarty finished with 11 points and three triples in just 12 minutes, starting the game despite suffering a sprained left knee in Houston’s opener.

The Golden Bears trailed by as many as 23 points with more than 12 minutes remaining before cutting into Houston’s lead with a 14-2 run. Thomas scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half, helping the Cougars maintain their lead as Cal chipped away at the deficit.

Sophomore guard Michael Cooper hit his fifth 3-pointer of the night before senior guard Jordan Ross capped the run with a layup that brought the Golden Bears within 13 with just over eight minutes remaining.

Cooper and Ross led Cal in scoring with 19 and 15 points, respectively.

The Cougars dominated inside, outscoring Cal 50-24 in the paint. Houston brought its signature defensive intensity, scoring 22 points off turnovers and blocking seven shots.

Next, Houston will face Jacksonville State on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. at Fertitta Center.