The Cougars hit a dry spell late in the first half and gave the ball away 21 times, as Louisana Tech handed them their first loss Wednesday 60-54 at Thomas Assembly Center.
The Cougars (2-1) went into the half with a 28-19 deficit. The Bulldogs scored seven points off 11 UH turnovers to build the advantage. The Cougars were a mere seven of 23 overall in the first half, and shot 50 percent from the free throw line.
With 8:35 remaining in the second half the Bulldogs extended their lead to 12, before UH attempted to mount a comeback.
With 5:38 to go the Cougars closed the gap to three points on a layup from forward Kendrick Washington.
But they were not able to get any closer as Louisana Tech held off the Cougars.
The game marked the debut for Washington after he was suspended for an unspecified team violation, and was held out of the first two games by head coach James Dickey.
Guard Darian Thibodeaux and forward Maurice McNeil led the Cougars in scoring with 11. McNeil also added nine rebounds.
The Cougars will try to bounce back when they return to Hofheinz Pavilion for a two-game homestand. Saturday they Host Northwestern Oklahoma State (0-1) in a 2 p.m. matchup, followed by a game Nov. 23 against Louisiana-Lafayette.
