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A suffocating defense sparks a 39-6 run that blows the game open.
Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 22, 2001
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Altron Jackson scored 15 points and Cedric Smith added 11 and had 10 rebounds as South Florida defeated UAB 75-47 in a Conference USA game Wednesday night.
South Florida (17-9, 9-4 CUSA) dominated the first half, partly because of a suffocating half-court trapping defense that overwhelmed UAB (14-12, 6-7).
Midway through the first period, South Florida launched a 39-6 run that blew the game open and continued into the second half.
South Florida built on a 37-17 halftime lead and led by 34 at one point.
B.B. Waldon scored 11 points for South Florida and Will Campbell led UAB with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Both teams started sluggishly on offense, with South Florida scoring only two field goals in the first eight minutes. UAB took an early 11-5 lead on a three-point shot by Eric Batchelor.
But South Florida came alive as its half-court defense took its toll on the Blazers. The Bulls began their first-half run by outscoring UAB 17-2 and forging a 22-15 lead. Sam Sanders scored three baskets during the run, two off UAB turnovers.
UAB played without starting guard Tony Johnson, who has a stress fracture in his foot. The Blazers missed Johnson's ball-handling skills, committing 12 first-half turnovers.
CINCINNATI 68, SAINT LOUIS 61: Trailing by nine on their home court early in the second half, the Bearcats realized their season was on the line.
But they rallied Wednesday night by hitting 27 of their 42 free throws and using a balanced attack to beat Saint Louis 68-61 and stay in contention for the regular-season championship.
Cincinnati (18-8, 8-5) moved into a three-way tie at fourth place, one game behind first-place Memphis and South Florida and a half-game behind Marquette.
Cincinnati, which has won all five of the conference's regular-season titles, plays at South Florida next week.
"We're fighting for our lives right now," coach Bob Huggins said. When Huggins called a timeout early in the second half and screamed at his players, it looked as if they might be headed for a loss that would knock them out of contention.
Saint Louis (13-13, 5-8) took the ball inside, dominated the Bearcats' weak front line and led for most of the game. Fouls and a tough schedule caught up with the Billikens down the stretch.
"We came out in the second half without much intensity," said Kenny Satterfield, who had a game-high 17 points. "We called a timeout, got in the huddle and said we were going to pick it up, and we did."
CHARLOTTE 74, LOUISVILLE 68: Jobey Thomas tied his career high with seven three-pointers and finished with 25 points for the host 49ers.
Louisville led 45-39 after an alley-oop basket by Reece Gaines with 17:32 left.
Charlotte then went on a 10-0 run to take control.
HOUSTON 81, TULANE 76: George Williams scored 22 and Patrick Okafor and Alton Ford 16 each for the visiting Cougars. The Green Wave pulled to 77-76 with 54 seconds left, but Dominic Smith and Marcus Oliver each made a pair of free throws for Houston.