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Smith Leads Cougars To First Victory In 2001-02
Nov. 21, 2001
Lahaina, Hawaii - Senior guard Dominic Smith scored six of his team-high 21 points and Louis Truscott added a crucial three-point play in the final five minutes to lead Houston to a 76-73 come-from-behind victory over host Chaminade in the seventh-place game of the Maui Invitational. Chaminade's Albert Powell, who led all scorers with 23 points, made two free throws to give the Silver Swords a 68-64 lead with 5:35 left to play. But, following a timeout, Marcus Oliver found Louis Truscott inside the lane for a lay-up and free throw to pull the Cougars to within 68-67. Powell missed a three-point try from the left corner, Smith passed to Patrick Okafor for a jumper from the free throw line to give the Cougars a 69-68 lead. After Chaminade's Mike Donegan missed a jump shot from the left baseline, Smith penetrated and made a 10-foot jumper from just outside the left block. The Cougars held a 71-68 lead with 53 seconds left when Smith dribbled the ball out front and forced Chaminade's John Kirk to foul him as he was dribbling toward the left wing. Smith, who is the best free throw shooter in UH history, made both of his attempts to give Houston a 73-68 lead. Then after Leon Ballard made a lay-up to pull Chaminade within 73-70 with 29 seconds left, Smith made two more free throws to extend Houston's lead to 75-70. The Silver Swords quickly brought the ball downcourt and Kirk missed a three-point try from the top of the key. Truscott grabbed the rebound and was fouled immediately by Ballard. Truscott missed his first free throw and came back to hit his second to give the Cougars a 76-70 lead with 14 seconds left.
Powell came down and hit a three-pointer from the left corner with one second remaining to make the final score 76-73.
In addition to Smith's 21 points, Truscott added 14 points and Patrick Okafor recorded his second straight double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The victory was Houston's first win of the season and improved the Cougars' record to 1-2. UH will return home and play Rice in their regular season home opener on November 29. |
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