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Charlotte Hands Houston A 73-68 Loss
Feb. 2, 2002
Houston, Texas - Despite a season-high 23 points by George Williams, the University of Houston couldn't overcome Charlotte's torrid outside shooting as the Cougars suffered an 83-68 loss in a Conference USA game at Hofheinz Pavilion. The game was close early as Houston took a 13-11 lead on Patrick Okafor's lay-up. But, Curtis Nash hit a three-point basket from the right baseline corner to cap a 12-0 run by Charlotte as the 49ers opened up a 23-13 lead with 7:38 left in the first half. A lay-up by George Williams got Houston back to within 26-24 with 3:06 remaining in the first half, but Nash and Demon Brown combined for five points and the 49ers led by seven, 33-27, at half-time. In the second half, Charlotte's outside shooting played a key role in the game again as the 49ers shot 57.1 percent from beyond the three-point line and opened up a 53-39 lead with 9:45 left to play. The Cougars clawed their way back to within six four times, the last coming with 5:49 left to play as Williams scored a slam dunk to make the score, 59-53. That was as close as Houston was able to get as Nash hit a three-pointer from the left corner to open up a nine-point lead. The 49ers took their biggest lead in the game with 15 seconds left on a dunk by Cam Stephens to make the final score, 83-68. Williams led Houston with a season-high 23 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Dominic Smith returned from a sprained right knee to score 13 points and Kevin Gaines also finished with 13 points. Patrick Okafor added 11 points and eight rebounds.
Thomas led Charlotte with 26 points and Nash finished with 14 points. Cam Stephens tallied 13 points and Kevin "Butter" Johnson added 10 points off Charlotte's bench.
Houston will travel to Southern Miss on Tuesday, February 5, and at TCU on Saturday, February 9. The loss drops Houston's record to 11-10 overall and the Cougars are 4-4 in Conference USA play. The 49ers won the seventh game in a row and are 14-6 overall this season. Charlotte also improved its C-USA record to 8-1. |
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