Coogs blow 19 point lead and lose to Tulane

POSTED: February 9, 2013 -- 7:40 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- The Houston Cougars led the Tulane Green Wave 74-55 with 8:22 left in the ball game. However, 0 made baskets; six turnovers; porous defense and bad rebounding led to a stunning collapse as the Coogs lost 88-85 to the Green Wave in front of a dejected Hofheinz Pavilion crowd.

The Coogs (14-8 overall, 3-6 in Conference USA) played great ball for nearly 32 minutes; but, the collapse in the final eight minutes of the ball game is epic. The collapse allowed the Green Wave (14-5, 4-5) to snap an 18-game road losing in Conference USA games.

The Coogs made 9 of their first 10 field goals; but, they only led 23-18 due to six turnovers. The lead shrank to just four (26-22) after point guard Tione Womack committed turnover number seven (his 2nd). Houston's guards accounted for six of the seven turnovers.

The Coogs committed turnover number eight but still led 26-22 at the 7:46 media timeout. The eight turnovers negated the 10 for 13 field goal shooting.

However, Houston did not turn the ball over the rest of the half; and, lo and behold, they outscored the Green Wave 22-12 and led 48-34 at halftime. The Coogs shot a blistering 66.7% (16 for 24) from the floor in the first half. TaShawn Thomas scored 15 points in the first half; and, Joseph Young added 11.

The second half began with a layup by Mikhail McLean to increase the Coogs' lead to 16. The lead grew to 19 (59-40) after another lay-up by McLean.

Tulane inched within 14 points two times (last time at 10:19); but, the Green Wave did not show any signs of being able to stop the Coogs' offense.

Jherrod Stiggers swished a three-point shot to put the Coogs up 74-55 with 8:22 remaining in the game.

Stiggers' basket was the last bucket by the Coogs.

Tulane went on a 9-0 run in a two minute span before Joseph Young split two free throws for a 75-64 lead with 5:28 remaining in the game.

Tulane's Ricky Tarrant scored a layup to cut the lead to nine; but, Coogs' point guard J.J. Thompson sank four free throws over the next minute to put the Coogs up 79-66 with 4:03 left in the ball game.

Tulane's Kendall Timmons made two free throws at the 3:54 mark.

Then, the epic collapse shifted into high gear.

Tulane began pressuring the Coogs in the backcourt. J.J. Thompson turned the ball over.

Jordan Callahan drained a three-point shot.

Tulane pressured the Coogs again. J.J. Thompson turned the ball over.

Jordan Callahan drained another three-point shot.

Tulane continued pressuring the Coogs. J.J. Thompson turned the ball over.

Josh Davis scored a lefty-layup.

In 31 seconds, the Coogs' eight point lead shrunk to three (79-76).

Houston freshman Danuel House was called for charging.

Josh Davis knocked down a jumper to trim the lead to 79-78 with 2:52 remaining.

Joseph Young sank two free throws; but, Davis answered with two free throws.

After TaShawn Thomas missed a layup, Tulane's Kendall Timmons scored a layup for an 82-81 Green Wave lead.

Danuel House turned the ball over; and, Timmons drained another jump shot to put Tulane up 84-81 with 1:05 remaining.

After Josh Davis split two free throws, Davis fouled Joseph Young while Young attempted a three-point shot. Young made the first two free throws but missed the third. The Coogs trailed 85-83 with 37 seconds on the clock.

Timmons rebounded the missed free throw and was fouled; but, Timmons missed both foul shots giving the Coogs a chance to tie the game.

After calling a 30-second timeout, the Coogs set up a play. Joseph Young attacked the basket and was fouled with seven seconds remaining. Young made both free throws to tie the game at 85.

Tulane did not call a timeout and inbounded the ball to Tarrant. Tarrant quickly dribbled up the court; got into the paint was fouled; and scored a floater with two seconds left. Tarrant sank the foul shot to complete the And 1.

With no times-out left, Danuel House threw a long inbound pass which Tulane intercepted to cap off their miraculous comeback and the Coogs' epic collapse.

The Coogs turned the ball over six times in the final 3:41 of the ball game.

Tarrant scored a game-high 27 points. Timmons added 22 points and 9 rebounds. Davis added 21 points and 12 boards. The three of them combined for 42 of Tulane's 54 second half points. The Green Wave shot 57.6% (19 for 33) from the floor but only 13 for 23 from the foul line in the second half. The Green Wave dominated the paint in the second half outscoring the Coogs 32-16.

Joseph Young scored a team-high 26 points. TaShawn Thomas added 20 points. House and Thompson each scored 10.

The Coogs shot 34.4% (11 for 32) from the floor in the second half.

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