Busting Brackets
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AAC Basketball: Strong second half effort guides Houston to win over UConn

By Andrew Nostvick

Feb 22, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Rodney Purvis (15) and Houston Cougars guard Rob Gray Jr. (32) attempt to get a loose ball during the second half at Hofheinz Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Rodney Purvis (15) and Houston Cougars guard Rob Gray Jr. (32) attempt to get a loose ball during the second half at Hofheinz Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston pulls ahead of UConn in second half to keep third place to themselves in the conference.

Once again, the Houston Cougars sit alone in third place in the AAC. They defeated UConn Wednesday night 75-70 at Hoffheinz Pavilion.

Down by 10 at halftime, the Cougars powered through to score 46 second half points.

Houston didn’t take over the lead until about 12 minutes left in the game. From there, they tried to pull away, but the Huskies kept close. The Huskies couldn’t catch Houston, especially after both Rodney Purvis and Kentan Facey fouled out late in the second half.

Damyean Dotson and Rob Gray Jr. provided the offensive fireworks for the Cougars in the second half. Dotson scored 14 of his game-high 25 points during the second half. Additionally, Dotson was a rebound shy of the double-double. Meanwhile, Gray scored the bulk of his points at the free-throw line, finishing with 15 points on the night.

Neither team shot the ball well from the field, both finishing under 40 percent. However, both teams more than made up for it at the charity stripe.

Houston had the edge in the free throw game, making 24-of-27 as a team. Gray was 9-for-10 at the line. Jalen Adams had the best night for UConn at the free throw line, making 7-of-8. Adams finished the game as UConn’s leading scorer with 18 points.

The game doesn’t do much for either team, outside of position in the conference standings. It doesn’t help or hurt both team’s cause for getting into the NCAA Tournament.

Regardless, both teams likely need to win out and get the automatic qualifier to get into the NCAA Tournament.

Houston has now won six of its last seven games. They have two tough road games up next and winning those can help their cause with the committee.

Next: Oregon engineers a comeback to maintain No. 1 seed hopes

The Cougars head to Memphis Sunday afternoon to try and avenge an overtime loss from Jan. 19. UConn, meanwhile, heads back home Saturday for a match-up with first place SMU.