Sports

Coogs attempt to start a new streak

M. Basketball: So. Miss will bring defensive effort

By Emily Davis
The Daily Cougar

UH head coach Ray McCallum and his team got just what they wanted against Saint Louis on Saturday -- a Conference USA victory and an end to their seven-game losing streak.

"Our team really grew up in (that) game," he said. "A win like (that) is a confidence builder. It was a dog fight, and coming out on top (got) us ready for our road games."

After more than a month without a single win, the Cougars (3-10, 1-1 in C-USA) breezed past the Billikens 72-59 and now have their sights set on two more conference matches -- at Memphis on Wednesday and at Southern Miss on Saturday.

"You have to win at home before you can even think about beating a team on the road," McCallum said. "These matches will be important contests with tremendous atmospheres at both venues."

Beating Memphis (10-4, 1-2) may be old hat for the Cougars, who defeated UM twice last season, 76-73 and 80-74.

The Tigers are in fifth place in the C-USA National Division, one spot below UH. 

But Southern Miss will be a different story. The Golden Eagles (11-4, 2-2) are third in the National Division and pose a tough task for the Cougars in the paint.

"Both games will give us major challenges inside," McCallum said. "They have height and depth."

But height will not be enough to tame the Cougars if sophomore guard Andre Owens continues his scoring surge.

Owens had a career high of 28 points against Saint Louis on Saturday and went 5-of-8 from 3-point range.

"I just practice constantly on my shots," he said. "Practice makes perfect and I think my abilities give my teammates more confidence."

Meanwhile, senior Louis Truscott continues to lead the conference in double-doubles after notching 17 points and 14 rebounds against the Billikens.

"Truscott is a great player and extremely difficult to control," Saint Louis senior Kenny Brown said. 

Anwar Ferguson, who started in Saturdayis game for Jeremee McGuire who was out with a migraine, led the afternoon with four blocked shots. The 7-0 center has been a consistent defender for UH this season.

But Memphis has strength to match UH inside. The Tigers are led by 6-9 forward Chris Massie, who had 22 points and 14 rebounds in a 75-74 loss to South Florida. Memphis holds a 9-8 all-time series edge against UH. 

"Weire looking forward to beating them," McCallum said. "Memphis hates Houston."

Southern Miss, meanwhile, dropped its second C-USA road game, losing 84-71 at Alabama-Birmingham.

The Golden Eagles are led by forward Charles Gaines, who had 19 points and 14 rebounds against the Blazers.

"Weire looking for them to give an extra effort on defense," McCallum said. "Theyill be coming at us with everything and we have to be ready."

The Cougars return home to face second-place South Florida on Jan. 29 before heading north to take on Texas Christian in Dallas on Feb. 1.

 Send comments to dcsports@mail.uh.edu