Coogs defeat UTSA

Posted: November 14, 2013 -- 11:40 p.m. CST

HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- The Houston Cougars combined good defense and shaky offense in the first half with shaky defense and good offense in the second to earn an 80-62 victory over UTSA (Texas-San Antonio) Thursday in front of an announced crowd of 2,800 fans. (Not even close.)

"I was pleased with the guys doing it defensively in the first half," Houston head coach James Dickey said. "We were much better offensively in the second half; but, not very good defensively."

The Cougars (3-0) limited the Roadrunners (0-2) to 20.7% (6 for 29 field goals, 0 for 6 on threes) in the first half and led 36-19 at the half.

The lead could have been larger -- if the Coogs would have made more than just 5 of their 14 free throws (35.7%).

Jherrod Stiggers nailed three-consecutive three point shots to boost the Coogs lead from nine points (21 to 12) to 14 (30 to 16) with 6:09 left in the opening 20 minutes.

"I didn’t have a mindset on shooting; but, I take what they give me," Stiggers said after the game.

At the 13:27 mark of the first half, Danrad "Chicken" Knowles checked into the game and made his debut for the Cougars. Knowles sat out last season after he was declared academically ineligible. The 6'10", 200 (maybe)-pound Knowles provides the Coogs another versatile weapon on both ends of the court.

Knowles grabbed an offensive rebound and scored the putback 20 seconds after checking into the game. However, as most of the Cougars did for much of the game, Knowles missed the free throw.

Knowles admitted he was nervous.

"I had butterflies at the beginning," Knowles said. "It felt good."

With 18:03 left in the second half, Stiggers followed a three-point bucket by teammate LJ Rose with a layup to give the Cougars a 41-23 lead.

Then, the Roadrunners went on a 13-2 run as the Cougars' defense took a collective nap.

"In the second half, we came out dull; and, they just came out and kept attacking us," TaShawn Thomas admitted.

Big man J.J. Richardson scored a layup to end the Coogs' scoreless drought; then, Stiggers nailed his fourth three-point basket during a 7-0 Coogs' run for a 50-36 lead.

The Roadrunners made another to cut the Cougars' lead to seven (56-49); but, LeRon Barnes scored seven straight points which started a 21-2 Cougars' run to blow the game wide open.

Stiggers (5 for 9 field goals, 4 for 7 threes) scored a team-high 22 points for the Cougars. TaShawn Thomas scored 14 points (6 for 7 field goals); pulled down six rebounds; blocked four shots and picked up two steals. Tione Womack scored eight points and handed out two assists.

Womack, LJ Rose, and freshman Jaaron Simmons combined for 17 points, eight assists and one turnover from the point guard position.

The Cougars shot 55.8% (29 for 52) from the floor -- including 59.3% (16 for 27) in the second half.

Guard Hyjii Thomas scored a game-high 22 points for the Roadrunners.

The Cougars host Lehigh Sunday, November 17, at 1 p.m.

CLICK HERE for The HRR's write-ups of Coogs' men's hoops games.