University of Houston
2-5
<b>WEST VIRGINIA</B>
4-2
Women's Basketball Loses 79-54 Contest To West Virginia
12/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 10, 2005
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HOUSTON, Texas - A field goal drought of nearly nine minutes in the first half gave visiting West Virginia all the advantage it needed as it defeated the University of Houston women's basketball team 79-54 in non-conference action at Hofheinz Pavilion Saturday.
UH (2-5) had opened up a 6-0 lead in the first minute of the game, but was unable to score in the next 8:54, going 0-10 from the floor and committing six turnovers. During that span, the Cougars were outscored 25-0 by the Mountaineers (4-2).
Sha'Ratta Hawkins (Houston, Texas/Jesse Jones HS) led the team with 24 points while Jasmin Moore (Houston, Texas/Langham Creek HS) added 12, knocking down four of the team's season-best nine triples.
UH played a solid second half, featuring a lot of hustle, forcing nine WVU turnovers. The Cougars had the deficit down to 18 in the first three minutes of the half, but would get no closer. WVU went up by 29, it's largest lead of the night, with 6:28 to go. Following that, UH went on a 9-0 run that whittled the lead to 21 at 70-49 with 4:47 left. WVU closed things out on a 9-5 run and picked up its fourth win in five games.
WVU set a season-best mark with its .561 (32-57) clip from the floor as it snapped UH's five-game home winning streak, dating back to the 2004-05 campaign. The Mountaineers entered the game ranked eighth nationally in field goal percentage.
UH had no answer for WVU's inside game as the visitors tallied 50 of their 79 points inside the paint. The Cougars had a season-low 26 boards but drew even with WVU on the offensive glass (11-11). The Mountaineers held a 29-15 advantage on the defensive glass.
The Cougars finished the night with 17 turnovers, equaling its total from the previous two games combined. WVU converted those giveaways into 21 points.
The Mountaineers were led by Olayinka Sanni, who finished with a career-best 26 points in 27 minutes of action. Meg Bulger tied her season-high with 24 points, including four triples. It was Bulger's 20th career game finishing with 20 points or more. She also dished out a game-high seven assists.
WVU shot nearly 60 percent (19 for 34/.559) from the floor in the first half and led by 22 at the break after a layup by Yelena Leuchanka with 10 seconds left in the half put WVU up 43-21. Leuchanka finished the night with 10 points and a game-high eight rebounds.
UH is back on the road next weekend, heading to Lansing, Mich., for a matchup with the No. 13/15 Michigan State Spartans. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CST in the Breslin Center.
