Coogs comeback effort falls short in 59-49 loss to USF

UPDATED: March 1, 2019 -- 8:56 a.m. CST

POSTED: February 27, 2019 -- 11:36 p.m. CST

HOUSTON, TX (Fertitta Center) -- The Houston Cougars' 4-game home winning streak was snapped Wednesday night in a 59-49 loss to the USF Bulls.

Poor shooting (and poor defense) in the first half hurt Houston. Houston shot 23.5% (4 for 17) from the floor in the first quarter and trailed USF 22-10 at the end of the first period. Houston shot worse in the second period: Houston shot 16.7% (2 for 12) and scored just 5 points in the quarter and trailed 38-15 at halftime.

While Houston struggled on offense, USF SHOT 58.8% (10 for 17) in the first quarter and 50.% (6 for 12) in the second quarter.

"They were not confident shots. We were just going through the motions," Ronald Hughey, Houston Head Coach said after the game. "It was Memphis, first half, all over again."

In Sunday's game against Memphis, Houston committed 15 turnovers in the first half and trailed 32-21 at halftime. Houston came back and defeated Memphis Sunday.

Tonight, versus USF, Houston trailed by as much as 26 points in the third quarter and made a comeback in the fourth quarter. Houston pulled within seven points 56-49 with 71 seconds remaining in the game; however, Houston did not get any closer and the comeback fell short.

Houston shot 47.4% (9 for 17) from the floor in the fourth quarter and committed zero turnovers. Houston's ability to finally make shots allowed the Coogs to get into their full court pressure defense more often which forced USF into 5 fourth quarter turnovers; which Houston converted into 7 points. However, the comeback proved to be too little too late.

"The second half with the heart, the determination, the perseverance, and all that stuff. I know we have. It's never a question about any of that stuff," Hughey said.

"We can't get down by 20 and be able to rush back; but, again, you can't consistently, at this time of the year, it's disrespectful to your team to dig that kind of hole."

In addition to the poor field goal shooting, Houston shot a woeful 2 for 11 from the foul line.

"Free throws! Two for eleven! Free throws! That's embarrassing," Hughey lamented. "That's just not mentally there. Not having the mentality we need to have at this time of year. It's just unacceptable."

NOTES:

Houston (15-12 overall, 9-7 in conference) has a 2 game lead over USF (16-12, 7-7) for 4th place in the American Athletic Conference standings. The top 4 teams earn a first-round bye in the upcoming AAC Conference Championship. Coogs at UConn this Saturday and hosts UCF Monday; USF at Cincinnati Saturday and hosts UConn Monday night. If Houston loses to UConn and UCF AND USF defeats Cincinnati and UConn, USF won win the tie-breaker with Houston and finish 4th in the conference standings.

NEXT:

Houston's next game is Saturday, March 2, at UConn, at 12 p.m., on ESPN3.

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