SB Nation Houston - Coogs Defense Leads The Way Over SHSUhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46691/houston-fave.png2010-12-21T21:30:26-06:00http://houston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16542392010-12-21T21:30:26-06:002010-12-21T21:30:26-06:00Houston Ekes Out Tough Win Against SHSU, 75-73
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<p>With 7.5 seconds left, down two, Sam Houston’s Marcus Williams turned the ball over, letting the Cougars escape with a tight win. Points off turnovers were what kept the BearKats in the game, as they notched 22 of those as a team. The Cougars, despite winning or being close to <span class="caps">SHSU</span> in the four factors, had to rally from a halftime deficit yet again.</p>
<p>After trailing by three at halftime, and by as many as six at one point, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123655/darian-thibodeaux">Darian Thibodeaux</a>’s three pointer with 7:30 left finally tied the game, and the Cougars took their first lead of the second half on a fast break three pointer by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100214/adam-brown">Adam Brown</a> with 4:32 remaining. SHSU’s <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100997/gilberto-clavell">Gilberto Clavell</a> tied the game on a three-point play with 46 seconds left, but <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100216/kendrick-washington">Kendrick Washington</a> got the tie-breaking layup on the next possession and Williams’ turnover ended the game for the BearKats.</p>
<p>Clavell led all scorers with 25 points, but he and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29618/josten-crow">Josten Crow</a> were the only Bearkats who scored more than eight. Brown led a balanced Cougars attack with 21, and Maurice McNeill chipped in with 16. The Cougars next game will be back in action two Saturdays from now against Rogers State to close out their non-conference schedule.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-cougars/2010/12/21/1890799/houston-ekes-out-tough-win-against-shsu-75-73Rivers McCown2010-12-21T15:51:46-06:002010-12-21T15:51:46-06:00Coogs Play Out Rare Non-Conference Home & Home Against Sam Houston State
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<p>The Sam Houston State Bearkats will come to town looking to avenge an overtime defeat on their home floor earlier this season by the Cougars. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/houston-cougars">Houston Cougars</a> will be looking to avoid a three game losing streak--all to Southland Conference opponents. Both sides desperately needs this win as the non-conference schedule wraps up and we head into Christmas. </p>
<p>After dropping a heart breaker to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi last Saturday night, the Coogs find themselves in the position of needing to win this game just to stay above .500. This on the heels of having a nine game home winning streak in Hofheinz snapped by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/texas-san-antonio-roadrunners">Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners</a> the previous Saturday. </p>
<p>It's more of the same for Houston: the game plan is to make their free throws and not turn the ball over so often. They're averaging a turnover on nearly a quarter of their possessions, which puts them 309th of 345 Division I teams. The Bearkats can score with anyone, but will need to overcome a porous defense, especially inside. Houston should be feeding the ball to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100216/kendrick-washington">Kendrick Washington</a> early and often, while Sam Houston State will look to run their offense through senior <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100997/gilberto-clavell">Gilberto Clavell</a>. </p>
<p>Look for a close game: Ken Pomeroy's ratings predict a final score of 72-71, in favor of the Cougars</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/2010/12/21/2326764/coogs-play-out-rare-non-conference-home-home-against-sam-houston-stateRivers McCown