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University of Houston
UAB
Houston Drops Regular-Season Finale To UAB, 71-66
3/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 5, 2005
HOUSTON - UAB used a 15-2 run in the final 3:44 to close out the regular season with a 71-66 victory over Houston in Hofheinz Pavilion Saturday night.
The Blazers trailed 64-55 after Lanny Smith drove down the lane for a lay-up.
Donnell Taylor began UAB's run with a lay-up of his own and Demario Eddins scored six straight points to lead the run.
Marvett McDonald, who joined his teammates earlier in the day following the death of his mother on Friday, hit a three pointer with 1:29 left to play to give the BLazers a 67-66 lead. Then, he made four free throws in the final 18 seconds to seal the victory.
The loss was a staggering blow to the Cougars, who lost just their second home game of the season in front of their largest crowd of the year, 6,420. Houston also drew 6,229 fans in its previous home game against intrastate rival TCU on February 18. It marks the first time the Cougars have played a home game in front of over 6,000 fans since the 1998-99 season.
McDonald and Taylor led the Blazers with 13 points each, while Marques Lewis added 12 points and 12 rfebounds. The victory was UAB's fourth straight win, while Houston has lost its last two contests after winning six of their previous seven games in February.
Andre Owens led Houston with 23 points and seven rebounds. Lanny Smith added 20 points.
Houston was held without a field goal for nearly the last four minutes.
Both teams now advance to the conference tournament that begins Wednesday.
The Cougars are the Number Six seed and play against South Florida in a first round game at 8:30 p.m., while UAB is the Number Four seed and gets a first-round bye.
The other games on Wednesday include No. Eight seed TCU facing No. Nine seed Marquette, No. 5 seed DePaul playing against No. 12 seed Tulane and No. 7 against No. 10 Saint Louis.
The Cougars end the regular season with an 18-12 overall record and 9-7 Conference USA game.
