Cold-shooting Coogs lose to Connecticut

Posted: January 17, 2016 -- 5:21 pm CDT.

HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- The Houston Cougars struggled to make shots Sunday afternoon; however, the struggles shooting the basketball in the second half proved too much to overcome in the Coogs' 69-57 home loss to the Connecticut Huskies. Today's loss snapped a 10-game home winning streak for the Coogs (13-4 overall, 3-2 in The American Athletic Conference) this season.

In the first half, the Coogs missed 14 of the first 15 field goal attempts; however, Connecticut (12-5, 3-2) struggled to make shots as well and the Coogs trailed by just five points (9-4) with 10:59 remaining in the first half.

From that point on, the Coogs finished the first half making 12 of their next 21 field goals and led Connecticut 35-28 at halftime. Six of the 12 baskets were three point shots by the Coogs; and, they shot a robust 6 for 14 (42.9%) from three-point range in the opening 20 minutes.

The second half-shooting resembled the first 9 minutes of the first half - especially during the final 10:59 of the ball game. With 13:09 remaining in the game, the Coogs led 49-41; however, the Coogs made just three of their final fifteen field goal attempts in the final 11 minutes.

During the Coogs' field goal drought, UConn outscored the Coogs 28-8 to win the game going away.

The Coogs' next game is Tuesday, January 19, in Dallas versus Top-10 SMU.

"SMU is obviously one of the best teams in the country, and when that game is over, we still have 12 more games," Coach Kelvin Sampson said. "Our season is not going to rest on SMU; it better not. Our job is to continue to work to get better."

"I’ll grab my computer tonight and sit down, watch every play and make notes. I’m sure at the end of the clip there will be some frustration, but there will be some things that I can glean and help us get better. Their (UConn) small lineup was good. It helped take away our bigs. You have to make shots."

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