Cougar Reserves Lead Houston To A 56-47 Victory Over UTEP

Dec. 4, 2002

Houston, Texas - The University of Houston men's basketball team recorded its first win of the 2002-03 season with a 56-47 victory over UTEP in Hofheinz Pavilion.

The Cougar used a 24-5 run in the final eight minutes to overcome a 42-34 deficit and win the game.

"It was nice to get that first win and the taste of victory is so sweet," Houston Head Coach Ray McCallum said. "If there is ever such a thing as a team win, tonight was it."

The Cougars began the game with four turnovers in its first four possessions and missed their first two shots of the game before McCallum insert Houston's second unit.

"They responded with energy and their execution took us to a nine-point lead," McCallum said.

The reserve unit gave the Cougars an 18-9 lead with 6:21 left to play in the first half. But the Miners rallied to within 24-18 at the half.

UTEP continued its surge in the first 12 minutes of the second half and led 42-34 before the Cougars rallied.

First, Louis Truscott hit a jumper from the right baseline and Andre Owens scored on a lay-up. Truscott hit his first three-pointer of the season to close the game to 42-41 with 5:40 left to play.

Houston took the lead for good when Jeremee McGuire hit two free throws after he stole the ball and drove the length of the court. Giovanni St. Amante fouled him on his attempted lay-up to send him to the line.

Owens hit a three-pointer from the top of the key on Houston's next possession and the Cougars never looked back.

The win gives Houston a 1-3 record this season and the Cougars will play host to Texas-Arlington on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

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