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University of Houston
South Florida
Houston Beats South Florida, 91-75
2/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 12, 2002
Houston, Texas - Forwards Louis Truscott and George Williams combined to score 47 points to lead the University of Houston men's basketball team to a 91-75 victory over South Florida. Truscott scored a career-high 27 points and Williams added his fifth double double of the season with 22 points and a season-high 14 rebounds as the Cougars snapped a four-game losing streak against the Bulls. "We played extremely well," Houston head coach Ray McCallum said. "We were concerned about their 1-3-1 half-court trapping defense and their talent level coming into the game." But, Houston maintained their composure against South Florida's pressure as Cougar guards Kevin Gaines and Dominic Smith got the ball inside to Truscott and Williams. "I focused on coming out more poised tonight because I rushed things at TCU," Gaines said. "I knew that if I relaxed, I would get some wide open shots."
Gaines did get some wide-open shots as he hit his first three three-point attempts in the game and ended the night hitting four of six beyond the three-point arc to score 12 points. He also handed out a career-high nine assists.
Smith finished with 19 points and three assists for the Cougars.
"I think the difference for us tonight was that we played more aggressive tonight with a sense of urgency," Williams said. "We knew attacking the 1-3-1 was going to be a challenge because they have had a lot of success against us in the past. So it was important for me to come out and have a good game."
He ended the night with one of his best performances of the season with five assists and four blocked shots to go along with his double double.
The Cougars opened the game the game with a 15-9 lead on an 18-foot jumper by Truscott.
After South Florida tied the game, 43-43, with 17:34 left to play, Houston regained the lead and was leading 61-55 with 9:00 to play.
The Cougars scored on their next eight possessions and went on an 18-6 run to extend its lead to 79-61 with 3:36 left to play.
They never looked back and went on to win 91-75. The victory improves Houston's record to 13-11 overall and put the Cougars in a tie with South Florida for second place in the National Division standings with a 6-5 league record.
Houston travels to Memphis this Saturday afternoon and returns home to play Tulane on February 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Hofheinz Pavilion.
