Cougars top South Florida, get key contribution from walk-on VanBeck

Before the start of the season, Wes VanBeck used a connection with his AAU coach, T.J. Ford, to help setup a meeting with new Houston coach Kelvin Sampson.

"I asked if I could join the team (as a walk-on)," VanBeck said. "He told me his expectations. I knew I could follow those. He let me join the team. Then I tried to work hard in practice and stay ready."

One of those moments came late in the first half Sunday afternoon.

With the Cougars on the verge of blowing a 13-point lead, VanBeck came off the bench and drained two big 3-pointers in an 86-second span. The 6-2 walk-on from Westside High School hit four 3s in the game to finish with a career-high 12 points as the Cougars beat South Florida 72-55 to snap a six-game losing streak.

The path for a walk-on is filled with lots of practice and work but no promises. Except at UH, where a dismal season and a depleted roster down to nine players has given VanBeck a chance for more than mop-up time in the closing minutes.

"We give guys opportunities," Sampson said. "The guys that have been playing in front of Wes have had their opportunities. I've given Wes opportunities. He's turned the ball over a little too much. But we keep running him out there, and today he found his groove."

After USF pulled within 22-20 late in the first half, VanBeck calmly drained a pair of open 3-point shots. The Cougars took control with a 13-0 run midway through the second half when VanBeck added two more 3-pointers.

Entering the game, VanBeck had five 3-pointers the entire season.

"He's a tough kid," Sampson said. "He's not afraid. I respect that about him."

VanBeck did a little bit of everything: he drew a charge, dished a pass to Devonta Pollard underneath the basket and had three rebounds in 19 minutes, which tied a season high.

"He moved ahead of some guys today," Sampson said.

Pollard had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Cougars, who won for the first time since knocking off Connecticut 70-68 on Feb. 1. LeRon Barnes added 15 points.

Troy Halston Jr. had a game-high 22 points for USF (8-21, 2-14).

UH (10-18, 2-14 American Athletic Conference) opened the game with an aggressive full-court press and made 8-of-10 free throws to build an 18-5 lead. The Cougars never let up, holding a decisive 37-25 rebounding edge and converting 22 points off 17 USF turnovers."Our game plan during the week was to come out and hit them in the mouth early," Sampson said.

The Cougars used the big run in the second and the Bulls went more than five minutes without a field goal.

Sunday's game also marked the sixth time in the last seven games the Cougars led at halftime. It was the first time they had one during that stretch.

"Today we finished it off," Sampson said.

joseph.duarte@chron.com

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