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Cougars Defeat McNeese State, 85-72, in Houston's home opener
Nov. 19, 2004
Houston, Texas - Senior guard Andre Owens scored a season-high 26 points to lead the University of Houston to an 85-71 victory over McNeese State in their first home game under head coach Tom Penders. "I am pleased we bounced back from our trip of two games in two days," Penders said. "It was a good win and every win counts. It wasn't pretty at times, but I thought we played with a lot of energy, played together and had an excellent effort." The Cougars played terrific defenses at the beginning of each half as they held McNeese State scoreless in the first seven minutes of the game to take a 9-0 lead and never trailed. After Houston went into the halftime locker room with a 32-26 lead, Owens made a pair of three-point shots and dunk shot off a steal to open up a 41-29 advantage. The Cowboys closed the gap to four, 41-37, before Houston used 17-4 run to open up a 58-41 lead with 11:39 left to play. The Cougars never looked back and went on to win their second game of the season. Houston's 85 points were the most points scored by a Cougar team since February 19, 2002, when they beat Tulane, 85-81, in overtime. The Cougars travel to Kansas City and plays Ohio State in the semifinals of the Guardians Classic at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23. Its marks the first time Houston has played against the Buckeyes since the 1968 NCAA Final Four.
the Cougars scored the Houston is a sound team with an aggressive, swarming defense. The first seven minutes of both halves they brought incredible intensity to the floor. Houston filled the passing lanes and pressured our guards and completely disrupted our offense.
Tom Penders is a fine coach with a great track record and he will bring the Cougars back to prominence with his up-tempo style. UH is already a good team playing with heart, poise and great pressure. We will not see any teams in the Southland Conference to play as tenaciously on defense as Houston did.
We tried to play man because zone left too many rebounding holes. We knew we had to rebound, and leave them with one and done all night. We just didn't respond as I expected. We were playing hurt tonight, we had almost as many guys in street clothes as we did in uniform. However our kids did not quit and they all played hard. I am very confident in our kids and know that we will come around when we get healthy.
(Price on guard Edward Garriet) " He is one of the top 3 point shooters in the country and has been for the last three years. It seems like he has gone weeks in practice and not missed a shot. Without question he is one of the top catch and shoot guards. Heck I even enjoy watching him.
HOUSTON Tom Penders "I am pleased we bounced back from our trip of 2 games in 2 days. It was a good win, every win counts. It was not pretty at times. But I thought we played with a lot of energy, played together and had an excellent effort. We faced a different type of team tonight, they are very perimeter oriented, and their No. 23 (Garriet), you have to give him credit because he was able to keep them in the game." "We really went to the glass hard tonight. I realize there is a learning curve as I have been through this before. It's a really amped up style of play, and they want to do well, but we are definitely not clicking on all cylinders. I have only implemented one-tenth of the offense and half of the defensive plays. I am still learning what these guys can do, but we have to play games. At this point in the year, you don't just improve with practice, you get better during the games." Andre Owens (on poor start in first half) "I came out to hyped up. We are excited for coach and want to do well. He gives us the freedom to do what we want to do and create, and sometimes I'm too pumped up and force my shot. At the half, coach told me to relax and some of the guys told me to do what I do in practice every day, and it started to come together in the second half." Ramon Dyer (his rebounding effort) "I just used my quickness. I realized guys will be bigger than me every night, so I have to explode to the board and go hard." Lanny Smith (on defensive effort) "The defense is so much fun, and coach Penders is known for his offense, but it is actually his defense that leads to the fast break and fuels the offense." |
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