University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
South Florida
Jackson, Waldon Prove Too Much For Cougars
2/26/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb 26, 2002
TAMPA, Fla. - Playing without three starters and their top reserve, the University of Houston came out fighting, but in the end, South Florida ran away with an 88-57 victory in Tampa, Fla.
Seniors Altron Jackson and B.B. Waldon celebrated senior night by combining for 54 points and 23 rebounds to lead the Bulls. Jackson, who is the all-time leading scorer in Conference USA, scored 28 points and handed out five assists to lead South Florida. Waldon added 26 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, as he became South Florida's all-time leading rebounder with 898.
The Cougars remained close most of the first half as Bryan Shelton, who made his first career start against South Florida, hit all four of his field goal attempts, including two treys. Shelton led Houston with 10 points and Patrick Okafor scored 7 points as the Cougars trailed just 42-30 at halftime.
But, the Bulls seized control of the game in the opening minutes of the second half as they scored the first eight points of the period. Waldon hit a three-pointer from the top of the key to extend South Florida's lead to 50-30 with 17:30 left.
The Cougars pulled to within 52-38 with 13:41 after Shelton hit drove the left side of the lane for a jumper.
But, that was as close as Houston could get as the Bulls outscored the Cougars 36-17 the rest of the way.
Patrick Okafor led Houston with 18 points, while Jeremee McGuire added 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds. George Williams added six points, seven rebounds and four assists will playing the poing guard position most of the night.
Houston and South Florida will head into the final weekend of the regular season in a three-way tie with Saint Louis for fifth place in the overall Conference USA standings with 8-7 league records. The Cougars are 15-13 overall this season and will close out the regular season against UAB on Saturday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m.
