Coogs lose to UCF in Overtime

POSTED: January 19, 2013 -- 11:05 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- Inconsistent offense and the inability to get stops on defense reared up once again as the Houston Cougars lost a hotly-contested conference game 79-75, in overtime, to the UCF Knights Saturday evening in front of an announced crowd of 3,577 fans.

The Coogs led 70-65 with 3:06 remaining in the game; but, for the third time in the second half, UCF's Kasey Wilson nailed a wide-open three-point shot to trim the lead to 70-68. Coogs' guard Joseph Young answered with a smooth jump shot off a nice step-through dribble for a 72-68 lead.

Young's basket occurred at the 2:33 mark. The Cougars did not make a basket the rest of regulation nor the majority of the extra session. Turnovers were a huge factor in the closing minutes.

After Knights' big man, Keith Clanton, scored a layup, TaShawn Thomas stepped on the baseline on a drive.

Turnover number 1.

Isaiah Sykes sank two free throws for the Knights to tie the game at 72.

With 1:08 on the clock, Coogs' big man, J.J. Richardson, drove baseline but stepped on the line.

Turnover number 2.

UCF missed one three-point shot and grabbed the offensive rebound and Tristan Spurlock launched another three which missed; but, Thomas secured the rebound for the Coogs.

The Coogs (12-5 overall, 1-3 in Conference USA) called a 30-second time-out with 27 seconds left in regulation to set up a final play.

Point guard Tione Womack received the inbounds pass near mid-court; Womack dribbled toward the sideline into a double-team and stepped on the sideline.

Turnover number 3. Three turnovers in the final 93 seconds of regulation.

UCF (12-5, 2-1) called time-out with 8 seconds remaining. Spurlock launched a 25-foot shot which rattled it; but, Spurlock did not get the shot off in time.

Overtime.

The Coogs' woes on offense continued in overtime: with five missed field goals and two turnovers. Trailing 76-72, Jherrod Stiggers rattled in a three-point shot bring the Coogs within one point with 58 seconds remaining. Stiggers' basket was the first basket for the Coogs since Joseph Young's bucket at the 2:33 mark of the second half.

UCF's Isaiah Sykes rebounded his own missed shot attempt to give the Knights a 78-75 lead with just 25 seconds remaining. The Coogs' J.J. Thompson missed a jump shot which forced the Coogs to foul Keith Clanton. Clanton missed the front-end of the one-and-one; and, the Coogs, without any times-out remaining, had one final chance to tie the game.

Danuel House had the ball in his hands with the game clock ticking down; House looked to the bench; the coaching staff wanted him to attack the basket; but, House seemed confused with what he should do. As a result of his confusion combined with the clock winding down, House launched a three-point shot which was deflected. Spurlock grabbed the loose ball and was fouled with four seconds remaining. Spurlock made the first free throw to seal the loss for the Coogs.

House produced the first double-double (15 points and 11 rebounds) of his college career. House also added six assists. Joseph Young scored 14 points while Leon Gibson chipped in 12 points and Jherrod Stiggers and TaShawn Thomas each added 11 points. Thomas also pulled down 13 rebounds.

Despite excellent defense in the first few minutes of the ball game, the Coogs defense failed them in key situations and the Knights took advantage with 52 points in the paint and 50 percent field goal shooting (32 for 64).

Isaiah Sykes scored a game-high 22 points and Clanton contributed 19 points.

The Coogs next game is Wednesday, January 24, versus Tulsa. Tip is set for 7 pm.

CLICK HERE for news and info about the Coogs' men's basketball team.

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

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