University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Eagles Make It Two Straight On The Road
2/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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Final Game Statistics
Eagles Make It Two Straight On The Road
HOUSTON, Texas -- Southern Mississippi 11-8, 4-4 C-USA) made it two straight Conference USA victories on the road when the Golden Eagles edged Houston (8-11, 2-6 C-USA), 75-72, in triple overtime in Hofheinz Pavilion here Tuesday night.
The victory also was the 1,000th in the history of the Southern Miss basketball program, and the all-time Golden Eagle record now stands at 1,000-828. Also, the triple overtime game was the first for the Golden Eagles since a Dec. 8, 1965 victory, 74-71, over Mississippi College in a game played in Jackson, Miss. Head Coach James Green and his team are 2-0 in overtime games this season. The Eagles beat Georgia Southern in OT earlier in the season.
Tuesday's game at Houston had a little of everything. Southern Miss grabbed the lead early, led by as many as 10 a couple of times, and held a 24-19 edge at halftime. The Eagles led throughout the second half, including a couple of 10-point margins, only to see Houston chip away at that lead and eventually tie the game at 52-all with :08 left, and Southern Miss could not score in the time remaining. Houston grabbed the lead in the first overtime, but Jasper Johnson tied the game at 59-all with 21-seconds left. In the second overtime, there were four ties and Southern Miss led three times, but Houston tied it at 65-all with 38-seconds left. And, in the final overtime, Houston led early, only to see Southern Miss come from behind, though playing without the services of both Charles Gaines and Dante Stiggers who had fouled out of the game.
In that final overtime, Greg Johnson had a pair of baskets, Jasper Johnson had another, and both Jasper Johnson and Jerekus Singleton hit a pair of free throws. Jasper Johnson had 12 points in the overtime periods. He finished with 14 points and Greg Johnson added 11. But Charles Gaines led the Eagles with 20 points and 18 rebounds, for his third straight double-double. It also was his 10th double-double of the season and 24th of his career.
Freshman Lanny Smith led all scorers with 31 points for Houston. He was the only Cougar in double figures.
Southern Miss shot just .351 (26-74) and 1-of-8 (.125) from three-point range but made 22-of-27 (.815) from the line, including 9-of-11 in the overtime periods.
Following the Houston game, Southern Miss will take an eight-day break before hosting UAB, Feb. 11. The Eagles then will go back on the road for a game at USF, and following that game will have just two road games remaining, at Memphis (Feb. 24) and at DePaul (Feb. 28).
