University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Golden Eagles Host Cougars
2/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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Golden Eagles Host Cougars
Hattiesburg, Miss. - Southern Miss meets Houston in a Conference USA rematch at 7 o'clock Tuesday night. The Cougars won the first game between the two teams, 74-66, Jan. 23, in Houston, Texas.
In that first game, Southern Miss led 34-33 at the half, but got into foul trouble in the second half and saw the Cougars convert 35-of-44 free throws, while the Golden Eagles managed just nine-of-13.
Houston's Dominic Smith hit 18-of-20 from the line and finished with a game-high 38 points. Elvin Mims led three Southern Miss players in double figures, with 14.
Smith continues to lead Houston in scoring, at 14.3 points a game. The Cougars show five players in double figures. Mims also leads the Golden Eagles at 19.5 points a game, and USM's only other double figure scorer, Clement Carter at 10.4 a game, will miss the game as he rehabs from recent knee surgery.
Houston brings an 11-10 record into the game, 4-4 in Conference USA action. Since beating Southern Miss in Houston, the Cougars have lost three straight, to Memphis (84-66), San Diego State (78-66) and Charlotte (83-68). Since the Houston game, Southern Miss is 1-2, with losses at TCU (75-61) and Tulane (66-61) and a 67-46 victory over Saint Louis.
Despite the earlier-season loss to the Cougars, Southern Miss still leads the series with Houston, 9-6, and has won nine of the last 11 games the two teams have played.
Following the Houston game, the Golden Eagles will stay at home for a Saturday night game against Marquette. Tickets to that game, as well as remaining home games against TCU and South Florida, are on sale at the athletic ticket office located on West Fourth Street, or by calling 601/266-5418 or 1-800-844-TICK.
