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University of Houston
20-6, 10-3AAC
SMU
18-6, 8-4AAC
No. 20/19 Houston Falls in Overtime at SMU
2/15/2020 8:27:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Freshman guard leads all with career-high 26 points
DALLAS (AP) – University of Houston freshman guard Marcus Sasser poured in a career-high 26 points, including three free throws with three seconds remaining to force overtime, but it would not be enough in a 73-72 loss at SMU inside Moody Coliseum on Saturday night.
Emmanuel Bandoumel hit an off-balance 3-point shot with 30 seconds remaining in overtime, and SMU held on. Bandoumel scored seven points in the game and had missed his first two 3-point attempts.
In addition to his three free throws at the end of regulation, Sasser gave the Cougars a 72-70 lead with 1:05 remaining in the extra period.
Sasser reached a career-high 26 points to lead all scorers. He scored half of them in the second half to rally Houston (20-6, 10-3 American Athletic Conference) from an 11-point halftime deficit. His last-minute free throws tied the game for the first time since it was 2-2.
The lead changed hands only once in regulation play, and then four times in overtime.
Tyson Jolly led SMU (18-6, 8-4) with 20 points. Isiaha Mike and Feron Hunt scored 15 each, and Kendric Davis had 10.
Four times in the second half, Jolly scored after the Cougars had brought their deficit within a field goal. Included were a slam dunk with a rebound and two free throws stretching the lead to four points.
Houston's DeJon Jarreau scored 15 points before fouling out with 3:34 to play.
BIG PICTURE
Houston: Despite the loss, the Cougars held on to first place in the American Athletic Conference by half a game over Cincinnati. The Cougars had won eight of their previous nine games, beginning with a 71-62 home win over SMU one month earlier.
SMU: The Mustangs remained fourth in the conference, but now only two games behind first-place Houston. SMU is half a game behind third-place Tulsa (8-3) in the tightly packed conference.
UP NEXT
• Following Saturday's game, Houston returns to the Fertitta Center to play host to Tulsa at 8 p.m., Wednesday.
• Golden Hurricane claimed a 63-61 win in Tulsa, Okla., on Jan. 11.
• Game will air on ESPNU and can be heard on KPRC 950 AM and TuneIn app.
• From there, Cougars take on Memphis at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, inside FedExForum.
• Game will air on ESPN or ESPN2 and can be heard on KPRC 950 AM and TuneIn app.
BUY TICKETS
Single-game tickets are on sale now, and fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets soon before all are gone.
Fans can purchase single-game tickets by calling 713-462-6647, by visiting the Houston Athletics Ticket Office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, and any time at uhcougars.com/tickets.
Fans who were unable to purchase season tickets can get a head start for the 2020-21 season by placing their names on the Priority Waiting List for only a $50 deposit. To reserve places on the Priority Waiting List, fans can register by clicking here and following the appropriate links from the right column.
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, a signed basketball, invitations to practice, a tour of the $25 million Guy V. Lewis Development Facility, regular updates about the program and much more.
To join the 50-50 Club, fans can call 713-743-9742 or email UHMensBasketball@uh.edu. For more information about the 50-50 Club, levels of giving and benefits, fans can click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team' Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
– UHCougars.com –
