University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Eagles Lose Another Tough Road Game
2/13/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Eagles Lose Another Tough Road Game
Fort Worth, Texas - Southern Miss fell behind late in the first half and could not find a way to pull itself all the way out of that hole in the second half, as the Golden Eagles dropped an 85-78 decision to TCU here Wednesday night.
The loss dropped Southern Miss to 10-11 overall, below .500 for the first time this season, and 3-7 in Conference USA action. TCU improved to 8-14 overall and 2-8 in league play. The victory earned the Horned Frogs a split with the Eagles in their two-games this season, after Southern Miss beat TCU 72-64 earlier in the season in Hattiesburg.
In tonight's game, there were seven ties and 10 lead changes in the up-and-down first half alone as both teams enjoyed leads, Southern Miss never by more than two points and TCU by as many as eight, late in the first half after the Horned Frogs rolled off a quick 7-0 run for a 38-30 edge with just over a minute left in the half.
TCU built that lead to 14 points early in the second half, at 50-36, before Southern Miss put together a solid run of its own, a run that got Head Coach James Green's team back to within two points (60-58) midway through the second half, and to within three points (76-73) with under a minute remaining. But, the Golden Eagles then had to start sending TCU to the foul line in an effort to gain control of the ball, and the Horned Frogs made 13-of-14 free throws in the second half, including scoring their final 11 points from the line.
Southern Miss shot a respectable .424 (28-66), won the rebounding battle (40-38), committed just 10 turnovers and put four players in double figures; but, it wasn't enough to beat the Horned Frogs, who shot .492 (29-59), and also put four players in double figures. David Haywood led the Eagles with 20 points after hitting five-of-eight three-point baskets, Greg Johnson followed with 19, Charles Gaines added 15 and a game-high nine rebounds, and Mario Myles had 12 before fouling out late in the game.
Corey Santee had 20 for the Horned Frogs and three teammates finished in double digits. Including Bingo Merriex, who had 17.
Southern Miss hurt itself by hitting only 14-of-24 free throws, while TCU converted 21-of-26.
Following tonight's game, the Eagles return home for a Saturday afternoon game against DePaul and then travel back to Texas for a Tuesday game at Houston.
