COLLEGE HOOPS: Houston falls to Temple in a heartbreaker

University of Houston junior forward Damyean Dotson carries the ball up against Temple Sunday, February 21, 2016 at Hofheinz Pavilion. Dotson continued his streak of effective scoring, logging 20 points on 11 shots in the 69-66 loss. less University of Houston junior forward Damyean Dotson carries the ball up against Temple Sunday, February 21, 2016 at Hofheinz Pavilion. Dotson continued his streak of effective scoring, logging 20 points on 11 ... more Photo: Tony Gaines Photo: Tony Gaines Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close COLLEGE HOOPS: Houston falls to Temple in a heartbreaker 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

HOUSTON - The University of Houston Cougars dropped a heartbreaker to American Athletic Conference-leading Temple Sunday 69-66 at Hofheinz Pavilion, coming up just short after leading by 10 early in the second half.

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson gave credit to Temple for putting together an all-around strong performance that proved just enough to edge the Cougars, who fall to 19-8 and 9-6 in conference play.

“I think Temple showed why they’re the best team in our league,” Sampson said. “They don’t beat themselves. They don’t turn it over. They make their free throws. They’re just very solid.”

If there is a reason the Temple Owls, now 11-3 in the league, is the best team in the conference, it is because they do not make the sort of crucial errors that will lose them close ball games like the game against Houston.

“They don’t beat themselves,” Sampson said. “They’re very disciplined, tough. I have a lot of respect for their team. But I have a lot of respect for my team, too. There’s not a lot of difference in those two teams.”

Despite trailing by 13 midway through the first half, the Cougars fought back hard in the second, pushing their lead to 12 with 11 minutes to play. Sophomore guard Rob Gray Jr., junior guard Damyean Dotson and senior forward Devonta Pollard - whom Sampson has called his “triangle,” or “Big Three,” in NBA parlance - combined for 59 of the Cougars’ 66 points, which Sampson suggests is a recipe for success, unconcerned that 44 of the Cougars’ 61 shots went to those three players.

“Shooter is not an equal-opportunity position,” Sampson said. “If you can’t shoot, you don’t get to. Those three guys are our best scorers. I’m not worried about that.”

Despite trailing by 13 points midway through the first half, the Cougars fought their way back, earning a 10-point lead halfway through the second, a testament to the tenacious character that is beginning to define this team.

“I was proud of our kids’ effort,” Sampson said. “I was proud of the way we came back and battled. I wouldn’t have expected anything less. But we had a couple of turnovers down the stretch, and you’ve got to get the ball to the rim and give the referee a chance to blow the whistle. Devonta went to the free throw line 11 times. Rob went to the free throw line six times. We just needed to go a few more times.”

The loss drops the Cougars back in the conference standings, in which the top six teams are separated by fewer than three games, all jostling for position prior to the conference tournament March 10-13 in Orlando. Sampson is confident in his team and its ability to fight through the adversity and secure a first-round bye in the tournament and put itself in the best position to be successful in Florida.

“We have a good team,” Sampson said. “This is a good Houston basketball team. I’ve coached enough good teams to know what one looks like. You look at our ones, twos, threes and fours and I think we match up with just about anybody in the league.”

It cannot be forgotten that Sampson took over a Houston team that saw its top-shelf talent, like TaShawn Thomas and Danuel House, flee to Oklahoma and Texas A&M when he was hired to replace James Dickey. Sampson has begun turning the Houston program around, and restocking the depleted cupboard, far more quickly and effectively than anyone could have hoped, and he says that this early success is just the beginning.

“We need a couple more recruiting classes,” Sampson said. “We’ve had one. We’re going to get better as we go, but I love this team. We haven’t played a game yet that we couldn’t have won.”

The Cougars next take to the road to face the University of Central Florida and the University of Connecticut before returning home Thursday, March 3 to face the University of Cincinnati.