Houston Roundball Review Archive: December 2006 Coogs lose to Runnin' Rebels 78-62

Saturday, December 30, 2006

HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- I'm going to start with post-game comments from Houston Cougars' head coach Tom Penders first following Houston's ugly 78 to 62 loss to the UNLV Runnin' Rebels (13-2) Saturday night at Hofheinz Pavilion.

Coach Penders saw the game differently than I did; so, listen to his comments: "...try to penetrate..."

The Cougars jacked up 24 three-point shots in the first half and made just three of them.

Amazingly, Houston trailed by only eight points (34 to 26) at halftime.

UH attempted just nine shots from two-point range in the game's opening 20 minutes.

The Cougars were close mainly because UNLV made just 11 of their 28 field goal attempts in the half.

UNLV shot better in the second half and the Coogs were doomed.

With 7:46 left in the ball game, UNLV was 10 for 10 from the foul line and 10 for 15 from the field including 4 for 6 from three point range.

Thanks to those outstanding numbers, UNLV led 68 to 50.

The lead grew to as much as 22 points (78 to 56) with 1:46 left in the game.

The Cougars made just 32.4% (22 for 68) of their field goal attempts including a woe-be-gone 5 for 36 from behind the three-point arc.

Though they made 22 shots, UH managed just five assists.

UNLV finished the game shooting 45.5% (25 for 55) from the field; but, they managed 15 assists on their 15 made baskets.

The Runnin' Rebels were led by 17 points from sophomore guard Jovan "Wink" Adams.

Wink also added nine assists. Adams played his high school ball at Houston's Gulf Shores Academy charter school; so, he definitely made the most of his homecoming.

Senior forward Gaston Essengue added 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Wendell White added 14 and Kevin Kruger chipped in with 13 points.

Houston was led by 16 points from senior guard Oliver Lafayette; however, Lafayette made just six of his 15 shots including 3 for 9 on three point shots.

Dion Dowell added 14 points and Jahmar Thorpe scored 11 points.

Senior point guard Lanny Smith scored 9 points (3 for 13 shooting); but, he did hand out four of Houston's five assists.

Houston (5-6) heads to Lexington, KY, to face the Kentucky Wildcats on January 3.

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