lauramac
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Kick-a$$! <-- :gocoogs:
Here's a link to the Comical story: <a href='http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2903000' target='_blank'>"UH passes test of character to open Penders era", by Michael Murphy</a>
[EDIT] Damn Comical made me register! Funk 'dat, I'm posting the story for y'all. :mad:
Quote:UH passes test of character to open Penders era
Cougars refuse to quit, rally past Sam Houston St.
By MICHAEL MURPHY
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
COLUMBIA, MO. - The Cougars had to travel all the way to the Show Me State to play Sam Houston State on Monday evening in the Guardians Classic, but they showed plenty in this first game of the Tom Penders era.
First of all, the Cougars proved they won't fold in a tight game, coming back from a double-digit deficit in the final minutes to nip the Bearkats 72-69 in a thriller at the Paige Sports Arena.
"This was a breath of fresh air, I guess you could say," said Houston guard Lanny Smith, who led the Cougars with 22 points. "We came out nervous and didn't really play up to par. But now that we've got this out of the way, I don't think we'll have any more problems."
Yes, it lacked artistic merit, but it was a win, a rarity for the Cougars the past few years. And the fact that it was so close made it all the better for Penders, former coach at Texas and George Washington.
"This is what we needed," he said. "Really, if we had come in here and won by 30 points, I think that (tonight against Missouri) we'd be in serious, serious trouble. It was a win over a good program. ... I'll take it."
Missouri beat Brown 68-60 in Monday's nightcap to set up tonight's second-round game.
The winner advances to a semifinal Nov. 23 at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo., against either Creighton or Iona. They play tonight in Omaha, Neb.
If the Cougars hope to start the season 2-0, they will have to fix a lot of things.
Like their shooting.
They were horrendous, shooting just 34.4 percent from the floor (22-of-64) and 26.7 percent from the 3-point line (8-for-30). Three top scoring threats — Andre Owens, Chris Lawson and Dwight Jones II — combined to shoot 5-for-31 from the floor.
"It was a great opening win for us," Penders said. "Was it a great opening performance? I wouldn't say so. But our kids played their hearts out tonight."
Owens, who missed three straight free throws in the final 31 seconds, just shook his head afterward.
"I think I was too hyper (and) too amped up," said Owens. "I started rushing my shot and got out of rhythm. But my teammates and coaches told me to keep shooting."
With the Cougars trailing 63-53 with 6:28 left to play, redshirt freshman Andrew Francis stripped Sam Houston's Aaron Wade near midcourt. Francis took off for the basket, laid the ball in and was fouled by Ryan Griffin. Francis made the foul shot to cut the Bearkats' lead to 63-56 with 5:54 left in the game.
"You could sense the change in momentum out there," said Francis. "I just knew my team needed energy out there. My main concern was winning the game, so I tried to make the plays that could get us the win."
The Bearkats (0-1) turned the ball over on five straight possessions, and all were turned into points by the Cougars. After the fifth turnover, Ramon Dyer completed the comeback with a three-point play that gave Houston a 65-63 lead.
The Bearkats (0-1) tied a tournament record by turning the ball over 29 times.
"I think that when we started putting pressure on their guards, they started getting rattled," Smith said."Once we got them rattled, that's what really killed them. It wasn't the prettiest win, but it was a win, and we'll take it."
So, who's this cat Michael Murphy? (I know, most importantly he's NOT Wizig and NOT Mullet Head Dale, but other than that.) Is he the new C-USA guy?
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