Strong Second Half Surge Helps Coogs Rout Rice -- with AUDIO
HOUSTON, TX (Tudor Fieldhouse) -- The Houston Cougars blew open a close game at halftime with a second half surge to overwhelm the Rice Owls Wednesday night 83-66 inside Rice's Tudor Fieldhouse in front of an announced crowd of 2,069 fans.
Houston (8-6 overall, 1-0 in Conference USA) was led by junior forward Maurice McNeil's double-double (23 points and 13 rebounds). McNeil also blocked six shots; dished out two assists; and picked up one steal for good measure.
McNeil's dominance inside helped the Cougars outscore the Owls 42 to 22 in the painted area.
"Forty-two points in the paint is probably one of the top productions in the paint against us," said Owls head coach Ben Braun after the game. "We only got 22 points in the paint; and, that's a little disappointing."
The Cougars jumped to an 8-0 lead to start the game; but, the Owls re-grouped and bounced back with an 11-2 run to lead 11-10 with 14:29 left in the first half.
The score stayed close the rest of the first half; and, the Coogs took a 38-34 halftime lead into the locker rooms.
Leading 43-39 in the second half, Houston senior guard Kelvin Lewis drained consecutive three-point baskets during a 10 to 2 UH run to give the Cougars a 12 point lead (53-41) with 14:05 left in the ball game.
Then, the Cougars began working the ball inside to Maurice McNeil and Kendrick Washington; and, the big men answered the call with a combined 15 points during a 24 to 13 blitz to give the Cougars a 23 point lead (77-54) at the 4:45 mark.
"I've been waiting for the day that I could use them together; and, tonight was the night," said UH head coach Tom Penders.
Trailing by 23 points, Owls freshman point guard Tamir Jackson led a late aggressive spurt which helped make the final score a bit more respectable.
Jackson finished the game with a team-high 19 points. Cliff Ghoram added 15 points. Arsaan Kazemi led the Owls with 14 rebounds (including seven offensive boards -- most coming off his own missed shots around the bucket).
Aubrey Coleman scored 22 points for the Cougars followed by 18 points (7 for 13 from the field) from Kelvin Lewis and 11 points and 10 assists from point guard Desmond Wade.
"Desmond Wade did a beautiful job running our offense and heading our defense," said Coach Penders.
Post-game Press Conferences
Listen to Coach Penders' post-game press conference.
Listen to the Owls' post-game press conference featuring Coach Ben Braun; Tamir Jackson; and Lawrence "Cliff" Ghoram.
Houston (8-6 overall, 1-0 in Conference USA) was led by junior forward Maurice McNeil's double-double (23 points and 13 rebounds). McNeil also blocked six shots; dished out two assists; and picked up one steal for good measure.
McNeil's dominance inside helped the Cougars outscore the Owls 42 to 22 in the painted area.
"Forty-two points in the paint is probably one of the top productions in the paint against us," said Owls head coach Ben Braun after the game. "We only got 22 points in the paint; and, that's a little disappointing."
The Cougars jumped to an 8-0 lead to start the game; but, the Owls re-grouped and bounced back with an 11-2 run to lead 11-10 with 14:29 left in the first half.
The score stayed close the rest of the first half; and, the Coogs took a 38-34 halftime lead into the locker rooms.
Leading 43-39 in the second half, Houston senior guard Kelvin Lewis drained consecutive three-point baskets during a 10 to 2 UH run to give the Cougars a 12 point lead (53-41) with 14:05 left in the ball game.
Then, the Cougars began working the ball inside to Maurice McNeil and Kendrick Washington; and, the big men answered the call with a combined 15 points during a 24 to 13 blitz to give the Cougars a 23 point lead (77-54) at the 4:45 mark.
"I've been waiting for the day that I could use them together; and, tonight was the night," said UH head coach Tom Penders.
Trailing by 23 points, Owls freshman point guard Tamir Jackson led a late aggressive spurt which helped make the final score a bit more respectable.
Jackson finished the game with a team-high 19 points. Cliff Ghoram added 15 points. Arsaan Kazemi led the Owls with 14 rebounds (including seven offensive boards -- most coming off his own missed shots around the bucket).
Aubrey Coleman scored 22 points for the Cougars followed by 18 points (7 for 13 from the field) from Kelvin Lewis and 11 points and 10 assists from point guard Desmond Wade.
"Desmond Wade did a beautiful job running our offense and heading our defense," said Coach Penders.
Post-game Press Conferences
Listen to Coach Penders' post-game press conference.
Listen to the Owls' post-game press conference featuring Coach Ben Braun; Tamir Jackson; and Lawrence "Cliff" Ghoram.
posted by Kris G @ 11:03 PM
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