Coogs edge Texas Southern 78-75 in Overtime

POSTED: December 8, 2012 -- 9:32 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- Someway. Somehow. The Houston Cougars found a way to win Saturday evening in a thrilling 78-75 overtime win over the Texas Southern University Tigers. The Coogs struggled defending the Tigers' lightning quick guards for much of the ball game; however, trailing by nine points (63-54) with only 4:54 remaining in the second half, the Coogs tightened the defense and executed on offense to force overtime.

Freshman forward Danuel House sent the game into the extra five minutes when he rattled in a three-point shot from the top of the key with nine seconds on the game clock. House caught a pass from teammate Joseph Young (while Young was falling out of bounds) and shot the ball with supreme confidence. After the game, House said he knew the shot was good as soon as it left his hand.

TaShawn Thomas scored a team-high 23 points (10 for 19 field goals) for the Coogs (7-2). Thomas was much more aggressive in the second half; and, he, in fact, demanded the ball on offense.

Joseph Young added 21 points (7 for 12 field goals, 5 for 5 free throws).

J.J. Thompson chipped in 10 points and six assists.

The Coogs trailed the Tigers by 11 points midway through the second half and by nine points with just 4:54 remaining. However, a switch by the Coogs to a full-court dense helped disrupt the Tigers' offense and spark the Coogs on offense.

The Coogs scored the first 6 points in overtime; but, Texas Southern's Omar Strong made his 7th (of 8th) three point shots to cut the lead in half with 1:45 remaining in the extra five minutes. Young made a jump shot to boost the Coogs' lead to 74-69 with 83 seconds remaining.

The Tigers failed to score on their next possession; and, Danuel House missed a three-point shot attempt. TaShawn Thomas grabbed the rebound; but, he missed the follow up layup. Danuel House missed the put back slam dunk attempt; and the Tigers rebounded the missed shot. Ray Penn splashed in a three-point shot to trim Houston's lead to 74-72 with 15 seconds left in the game.

The Tigers fouled Joseph Young; and, Young made both free throws for a 76-72 lead. Omar Strong, there's that name again, made his 8th three-point shot of the game for a 76-75 UH lead with seven seconds left. The Tigers fouled J.J. Thompson and Thompson rolled in both free throws for a 78-75 lead.

Texas Southern tried to get the ball into Strong's hands; but, the ball bounced off his hands for a turnover to end the game.

The Cougars escaped with the win.

Next up for the Cougars is a December 15 game versus Louisiana Lafayette. Tip-off is set for 7pm.

CLICK HERE for news and info about the Coogs' men's basketball team.

CLICK HERE for The HRR's write-ups of Coogs' men's hoops games.