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Sports

Loss takes UH down a notch

Cougars fall short in overtime loss to UCF, drop to third in C-USA 

by CHRIS ELLIOTT
The Daily Cougar

Houston could not maintain its intensity on both ends of the court against Central Florida. 

The Cougars brought the heat on defense by forcing 26 turnovers, including 18 steals, but couldn't execute offensively in the clutch and left UCF Arena with a 75-72 overtime loss.

This contest was for sole possession of second place in Conference USA with both teams entering the game sharing the runner-up spot behind Memphis with 9-5 conference marks.

The two teams played to a 63-63 tie in regulation, but the Golden Knights (21-8, 10-5 C-USA) quickly regained their rhythm, knocking down their shots with enough consistency to separate themselves from the Cougars.

Houston (15-14, 9-6 C-USA) held a slim 70-69 lead with a minute left in overtime, but failed to convert any shots from the floor in that time span.

"It was the same old story," UH head coach Tom Penders said. "We only had a couple of guys step up."

UH junior point guard Charlie Jones may not have posted impressive scoring numbers -- he ended the night with three points -- but the Cougars' only true point guard did everything else that was needed of him. He finished the game with seven assists and five steals.

The drive-and-dish play worked the entire game for Jones, who made his first start of the season at UCF Arena. Late in regulation, he dished the ball to Jahmar "Dunk Master Flex" Thorpe (17 points, six rebounds), who threw it down with three seconds remaining in regulation to send the game into overtime. 

"He's a back-up type player, but without him we would have gotten beat by 15 points tonight," Penders said. 

The efforts of UCF guards Mike O'Donnell (10 points) and Jermaine Taylor (20 points) were too much for UH handle. O'Donnell connected on a three-pointer with 27 seconds left in overtime to give the Golden Knights a 72-70 lead.

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