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Smith and Okafor Lead Cougars To 76-72 Victory Over UAB
March 2, 2002
Houston, Texas - Seniors Dominic Smith and Patrick Okafor certainly went out with a bang as they led the University of Houston to a 76-72 victory over UAB in Hofheinz Pavilion Saturday night. Smith and Okafor were honored before the game as they celebrated "Senior Night" in a big way as they combined for 34 points. Smith led UH with 20 points off the bench as he returned from a one-game suspension. Okafor added 14 points in 30 minutes after sitting much of the first half with three fouls. Houston's other senior, Terry Price added a free throw with 11 seconds left. The Blazers led 33-26 with 19:50 left to play in the game before Houston used a 15-3 run to take a 41-36 lead with 15:31 left to play. The two teams battled back and forth the rest of the way. The Cougars appeared to have the game put away as they led, 72-62, with 45 seconds left to play. But, the Blazers rallied pulled to within two, 74-72, in the next 36 seconds before Smith clinched the victory with two free throws. The victory gave Houston a 16-13 overall record and a 9-7 mark in Conference USA. The nine wins are the most league wins by the Cougars since 1995-96 when they won 10 league games as a member of the Southwest Conference. Houston's 16 wins also are the most since finished the 1995-96 campaign with a 17-10 record.
The win also clinched a second-place finish in C-USA's National Division and sixth seed in the Conference USA Tournament on March 6-9. The Cougars will meet East Carolina in the first round of the Tournament.
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