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| TaShawn Thomas scored 11 points and pulled down 15 rebounds against UCF. Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved |
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications
HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 19, 2013) Any conference loss is tough, but when it is in overtime, it makes the sting all the more painful.
The Houston Cougars must have felt like they were pierced in the heart by the UCF Knights as they dropped a 79-75 decision in front of 3577 fans at Hofheinz Pavilion on Saturday evening.
With the loss, the Cougars fall to 1-3 in conference action and 12-5 for the season.
Houston got off to a strong start, leading 37-32 lead at halftime, but could not contain the Knights shooting in the second half while failing to keep the momentum of the first half going.
Freshman forward Danuel House stated that the second half break down was a lack of concentration
“Coach said (we have a) lack of concentration. We’re not concentrating harder. In (the) first half, we come out and we concentrate and second half, I think we as team, we get kind of, a little too comfortable with the cushion and the lead and then the other team, they sneak up on us.”
The Knights opened up the second half with an 8-0 run and from that point on it took its toll on the Cougars.
Houston was outscored 40-35 in the second half and 7-3 in the overtime perio
House led the Cougars with 15 points and 11 rebounds while TaShawn Thomas added 11 points and 13 boards to Houston’s total.
Joseph Young, Leon Gibson, and Jherrod Stiggers also scored in double figures (14, 12, and 11).
The Cougars connected on 29-of-64 shots for 45.3% while shooting 11-of-12 from the free throw line.
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| Sheldon Cooper was at Hofheinz Pavilion to support the Houston Cougars on Saturday night. Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved |
However, those performances were not enough to contain the Knights with four players scoring in double figures and making 50% of their shots from the field.
Houston head coach James Dickey summed up the UCF scoring by saying “it is hard to win when you give up 40 points in a half; it is just hard to do it.”
The Knights led the Cougars in most offensive stats; in-paint points (52-36), turnovers points (16-13), and fast break points (11-4).
Houston outscored the Knights in second chance points; 20-15.
The next game for the Cougars will be on Wednesday, Jan. 23 when they face Tulsa at home with a 7 p.m. tip-off.
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