SOUTHERN JAGUARS SLIDE CONITUES IN 73-49 LOSS TO HOUSTON :: Jaguars drop sixth straight contest

Dec. 10, 2007

Houston -- The Southern Jaguars slide continued and the shooting woes also continued to rear its ugly head, as Houston's Dion Dowell recorded 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the University of Houston men's basketball team to a 73-49 win over Southern University Saturday night at Hofheinz Pavilion.

Dowell, who scored 19 of his points in the first half, made six of his first seven shots from the field to help Houston take control with a 28-7 lead in the first 12 minutes of the game. Five of his six field goals were from beyond the three-point arc.

Southern was able to slow Houston's offense down over the next eight minutes when the Jaguars went to a 3-2 zone defense.

Kelvin Lewis made Houston's only field goal and Dowell added a pair of free throws during that stretch when the Jaguars used a 10-4 run to close within 32-17. Southern could not get any closer. Houston went into halftime with a 35-20 lead

Jazz Williams led Southern with 13 points, and was the only player to score in double figures for the Jaguars.

"Since our first two games, we've struggled offensively," Southern coach Rob Spivery said. "We haven't been able to make a number of shots. We've been consistent in our defensive effort.

"When you play defense and you don't make shots, then you start slacking off on that end. That's what happened to us."

Four Jaguars had six points apiece.

Southern had its share of open looks, but was unable to find the basket.

The Jaguars managed just two field goals in their first 19 possessions. At that time, Southern was 2-of-17 from the floor (12 percent), compared to 10-of-25 for Houston.

Southern's best run came at the end of the first half as it managed to cut off the passing lanes and force turnovers. The Jaguars outscored the Cougars 13-7 to pull within 35-20 at the break.

Whatever momentum that Southern had accumulated went by the wayside as the second half opened. Robert McKiver and

Kelvin Lewis fired in successive 3-pointers, with Lewis adding a trio of free throws.
Williams had the basket for Southern in that span as the Jaguars fell behind 44-22 with 17:38 remaining in the contest.

"We wanted to avoid that type of thing happening at the beginning of the second half," Spivery said. "That was nine points to zero. They're widening the gap again and we've got to fight uphill from that point."

Southern kept trying to contain Houston right to the end. The Jaguars began to hit the boards better, eventually outrebounding the Cougars 44-42.

"We played hard," Spivery said. "We competed and kept up the effort defensively and rebound-wise. Until we start making a better percentage of our shots, then we're going to continue to look like we're struggling."