LAS VEGAS (AP) — Houston coach Kelvin Sampson repeatedly referred to the disparity in free throws after his third-ranked Cougars lost 76-73 to No. 17 Tennessee on Tuesday in the Players Era Championship.

The Volunteers took 29 fouls shots, making 23 of them. Houston was 8 of 11.

Sampson frequently returned to the topic during the postgame news conference.

“I’m not saying we weren’t fouling, but they were, too,” Sampson said. “Both teams were playing aggressive, tough defense. Boom, boom, boom, boom. Shouldn’t have been 29 to 11.”

It was the Cougars’ first loss this season after opening 6-0.

Sampson never directly criticized the officiating, but he made clear he wasn't pleased with some of the calls. He said he instructed his players to drive to the basket with the hopes of getting t

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