Cougars Get First Conference Win

HOUSTON, TX (CBS Houston) â€" Houston seemed a bit undersized against Tulsa’s starting lineup comprised of two 6’11” forwards and three 6’4”-plus guards. The Cougars starting lineup stands 6’0”, 6’3”, 6’6”, 6’6” and 6’8”. But, they had a strategy in place consistent throughout the game that led to a 70-69 conference-opening victory against the visiting Golden Hurricane.

“D-Rob, Coach (Daniyal) Robinson, did a good job with the scouting report,” says Cougars Head Coach James Dickey. “One of the things we emphasized was playing the game inside-out and right before we go out we write a few things on the board. One of the things we wrote on there was attack, get to the free throw line, and hit free throws. We did want to attack.”

The Cougars finished 26-of-35 from the free throw line for 74.3% accuracy. Two of the biggest free throws of the night came from 6’6” junior guard Jonathan Simmons who hit the clutch free throw to tie the game at the end of regulation and finally, the game-winner with one second remaining on the clock in overtime.

IT TOOK OVERTIME

The Cougars had a chance to win the game in regulation. Tulsa took a 65-64 lead with: 47 remaining on a jumper by senior 6’11” forward Steven Idlet. The Cougars scrambled with seconds remaining looking for opportunities; Simmons shot a 3; missed, and Tulsa regained possession with :32 remaining. Freshman guard Joseph Young would foul D.J. Magley who would miss the critical free throw; the Cougars regained possession and called a time out.

The play was called for Simmons who drove the lane and was fouled with :01 remaining. He made the first free throw to tie the game at 65, but missed the second to send the game into overtime.

We fast-forward where with 18 seconds remaining in overtime, the Cougars would take a 69-67 lead on two J.J. Thompson free throws. However, Tulsa would tie the score at 69 on an Eric McClellan layup with 12 seconds remaining.

Simmons would have the same opportunity in overtime; his number called again with the game tied at 69 and 1 second remaining on the clock. So, naturally he wanted a second opportunity to win the game in overtime after the first missed opportunity in regulation.

“Bad â€" real bad” said Simmons. “Should have hit the first one, but I’m glad I got another chance.”

Thing is, Simmons was 7-for-7 before going to the line at the end of regulation. But, when he got the second opportunity after getting fouled while attacking the basket on a set play with 8 seconds remaining, it was all he could do to lead his team to victory the second time around.

“This must go in,” says Simmons. I just kind of calmed myself some more and I was telling myself I got to make this free throw.”

But, one of the more intense moments came during the play before Simmons was fouled as he seemed to hold the ball a little too long for the raucous crowd of 3,218. The noise level of the fans was meant to call Simmons’ attention to the amount of time remaining on the clock. Even the Head Coach began to wonder a bit.

“What went through my mind for a split second was did I tell him how much time was on the clock â€" because he held it just for a second,” says Dickey. They, (Tulsa), didn’t really deny him the ball. They let him get the ball in bounds. But, he recognized what he wanted to do and he has a lot of confidence in his game.”

Simmons attacked the basket and was fouled only needing one good free throw. He would hit the first to the delight of the crowd and give his Cougars the lead for good. Simmons would intentionally miss the second.

“He’s very gifted off the dribble and he’s hard to guard and he had a size advantage. We told the guys the last thing they want to do is foul. We certainly wanted to drive the ball. I thought he did a great job and he hit the first free throw and that was big.”

A CLOSER LOOK

What was amazing about this Cougar team was the defense. While undersized against a much bigger team, the Cougars managed to out-rebound the Golden Hurricane 32-31, add 6 blocks to none in the stat column, and practically win the game at the free throw line.

Most importantly, the Cougars were flawless defending the 3-point line as the Golden Hurricane was 0-for-5. This is the first time since December 9, 1997 versus California that the Cougars have held a Division I opponent without a 3-pointer. That is a streak of 415 games.

The Cougars have the athleticism and lightning quickness to outrun and full-court press most teams with 6’2” freshman guard Joseph Young, 6’0” freshman guard J.J. Thompson, 6’6” sophomore forward Alandise Harris, and 6’8” freshman forward TaShawn Thomas.

Add 6’6” junior forward Jonathan Simmons who on Wednesday night was the go-to Cougar and 6’9” junior Kirk Van Slyke to that potion and the Cougars stand a chance to be contenders in Conference USA. Senior guard Darian Thibodeaux is the team leader who has 44 consecutive starts to his credit and plays lock-down defense.

However, the one phase of the game Dickey would like to see his team improve is in the area of turnovers. The Cougars amassed 21 turnovers, 14 by Thompson and Simmons, just a few too many for the Head Coach.

“Both of them are best when they’re at full speed and in transition. We just got to use better judgment when we get past that initial what we call the elbow area, the 3-hole. The decision between the elbow and the block, that area, the mid-post area, we’ve got to do a better job. That’s where most of our turnovers come because we make bad decisions.”

FINAL NUMBERS

The Cougars had 4 players score in double figures led by Simmons with 19. J.J. Thompson followed with 15, TaShawn Thomas scored 12, and Alandise Harris followed with 10. Final numbers were 21-of-45 for 46.7% from the field. Thomas and Young led the way with 37 minutes played with Young scoring 9.

Tulsa also had 4 players score in double figures led by 6’11” senior forward Steven Idlet with 22.

Next up for the Cougars will be UTEP in El Paso on January 7, 2012. Tipoff is 8:00 p.m.