Gray's 23 lead Houston past Wake Forest, 78-73

LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said his team had not played with Rob Gray before Friday and the start of the Paradise Jam.

It took Gray just three games to make his presence known as a clutch player the Cougars can count on.

Gray scored six of his 23 points during a late 8-0 run for Houston that broke a tie and the Cougars beat Wake Forest 78-73 in the fifth-place game of the Paradise Jam on Sunday.

"Friday, believe it or not, that was our team's first game with Rob," Sampson said. "They hadn't seen Rob. We just have to keep adjusting. The more games we play, the better we're going to get."

Gray was intent on making a good impression, and did, especially in a tight game near the…