University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Houston
Tigers Fall To Cougars, 76-73
Feb 16, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Feb 16, 2002
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Dominic Smith buried a long three from the top of the key in the final minute and sank a pair of free throws with four seconds left to lead Houston to a 76-73 win over Memphis on Saturday.
With the defeat, the Tigers (20-7, 10-3 in Conference USA) extended their losing streak to a season-high three games. Houston (14-11, 7-5) has now won three of four.
Playing without senior Kelly Wise - who has missed portions of the last three games with a strained right knee - Memphis actually led for most of the second half despite trailing at the break, 33-31.
But with just under six minutes to play, the Cougars went on an 8-2 run, including six points by Patrick Okafor, to cut the Memphis lead to 68-66 with 3:36 left.
Smith's three with 41 seconds remaining gave Houston its first lead in almost 15 minutes, and the Tigers could never pull even again despite three possessions in the final 40 seconds.
Memphis got one last chance with freshman Dajuan Wagner's desperation three at the buzzer, but it banked off the top of the backboard.
Okafor led Cougar scoring with 25 points on 7-of-9 shooting while Louis Truscott added 18 points and 11 rebounds. Smith finished with 16 points.
The Tigers were led by Wagner's 23 points. Earl Barron finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, Anthony Rice added 10 points and Antonio Burks finished with 12.
