Sports
 

Coogs face tougher cats

By Jay Gandy
The Daily Cougar

The Cougars will be looking to bounce back from a tough triple overtime 75-72 loss at the hands of Southern Miss as they host the No. 10 Cincinnati Bearcats at 2 p.m. Saturday in Hofheinz Pavilion.

Cincinnati (15-3, 6-2 in Conference USA) comes into the game having lost two consecutive games, including a 71-69 loss to Xavier. If the Cougars (8-11, 2-6) hope to make it three in a row for the Bearcats, they must cut down on turnovers.

"We've got to really take care of the basketball, especially in the full court," UH head coach Ray McCallum said. "They have size and strength on the inside, and they have excellent perimeter shooters. They just have a good all-around team."

The Bearcats' top scorers are Jason Maxiell and Tony Bobbitt, each averaging more than 14 points per game. 

In Saturday's loss to Southern Miss, freshman guard Lanny Smith had a breakout game, scoring a career-high 31 points. With teams focusing their defense on junior guard Andre Owens, Smith and the other Cougars must find a way to provide some offense.

"On this team I've had to try to step up and be another scoring option," Smith said. "Teams are focusing on Andre and he's our number one scoring option, so somebody else has to step up."

Southern Miss hounded Owens all game, sending two or three defenders at him each time he touched the ball, sometimes before he touched it. Owens responded by distributing the ball to open teammates, a key factor in the Cougars shooting 50 percent from the floor in the second half. 

"Teams think we only have one scorer on our team, and yesterday we proved that other guys can step up," Owens said. "If you can move the ball when they come to double team you then it usually works out pretty good."

The Bearcats are averaging almost 82 points per game, the highest in Conference USA, while the Cougars allow just 63 points per game.

Senior center Anwar Ferguson anchors the defense inside and is second in the nation in blocked shots. It will be his job to shut down Maxiell on the inside. 

Houston has played well at home this season, or at least better than its 7-6 home record indicates. 

"Our fans have been outstanding supporting the team," McCallum said. "We appreciate their support and we sure need them out there Saturday."

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