Coogs lose to SMU, 73-60

Posted: January 26, 2014 -- 10:31 am CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- The Houston Cougars competed to the end Saturday afternoon; but, shaky first-half defense and poor shooting hurt them in a 73-60 loss to in-state rival Southern Methodist in front of an announced crowd of 723 fans.

“We didn't show up in the first half," Wade Scott, Coogs' interim-head coach said. "Couldn't guard anybody. Didn't execute on offense. Got Stagnant. We let them build a lead and couldn't come back to get back in it. I give credit to SMU. They came out, and they were ready to play.”

The Mustangs scored the first six points of the game; but, Houston sophomore Marche' Amerson scored five points during an 8-0 run as the Coogs made three straight baskets to improve their shooting to 3 for 8 from the floor. However, the Mustangs responded with a 15-2 run to take a 21-10 lead. The Coogs did not closer than eight points the rest of the game.

After their 3 for 8 field goal shooting, the Coogs made just 6 of their last 27 shots in the first half and trailed 40-25 at halftime.

The Cougars' poor shooting continued in the second half. They shot 33.3% (10 for 30) in the final 20 minutes and trailed by as much as 21 points (70-49) with 4:09 remaining before outscoring the Mustangs 11-3 to close out the ball game.

“When we get around traffic we're not closing open shots down," Coach Scott added. "We pull back or we take our eye off the basket. On the outside shots, I don’t know if we’re a great catch-and-shoot team. We have to put it on the floor a little bit, and try to get a bit closer. People are adjusting to that, and it makes it hard to score.”

The Coogs shot 29.2% (19 for 65) from the floor.

Houston senior forward Te'onna Campbell scored a team-high 17 points (7 for 19 field goals) and grabbed nine rebounds. Senior post Yasmeen Thompson scored 15 and grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds for her third double-double of the season.

“We started off not intense in the game," Thompson said. "Second half I think we came back, but it’s just little pieces that we need to work on. With our defense we give up a lot. If we just keep fighting we will be fine.”

Despite Houston's 4-15 record overall and 0-8 in the American Athletic Conference, Campbell has not lost confidence in herself nor her teammates.

“Offensively we know no other team can stop us; it’s just about containing them," Campbell said. "It’s about using our strengths better because we go away from our strengths sometimes. Like when we first started off we started shooting instead of driving. But offensively I feel like we are fine; we just need to find a rhythm. Defensively we just need to know how to contain people and not get too anxious. Sometimes on defense we get so anxious to get a run and to score, we get away from containing them. Once we do that and rebound a little more we will be better.”

The Cougars will try to end their losing streak with a January 29 road game against USF. Tip is set for 6 p.m. CST.

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