University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
-1513; 96 CUSA
Tulane
-226; 114 CUSA
Women's Basketball Defeats C-USA Leader Tulane, 74-62
2/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 27, 2010
HOUSTON - Junior forward Courtney Taylor fell just one rebound short of the single game school record and was one of six Cougars to score double-digit points on Saturday at Hofheinz Pavilion as the University of Houston women's basketball team defeated Conference USA leader Tulane by the score of 74-62.
The victory improved the Cougars' overall record to 15-13 this season and their C-USA mark to 9-6, which keeps them in a tie with SMU for third place in the league standings. Tulane, meanwhile, fell to 22-6 on the season and 11-4 in conference play, but clinched at least a share of the regular season title when Memphis lost to East Carolina.
Taylor finished with 19 rebounds to tie a career-high as the performance marked the second time this season she fell just one board shy of the school record, which is shared by Toni Mooney (vs. SFA on Nov. 29, 1983) and Sancho Lyttle (vs. San Francisco on Jan. 16, 2005). The Crockett, Texas, native, also contributed 10 points for the 38th double-double of her career and 13th this season.
Sophomore guard Porsche Landry, who finished with a team-best 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, joined Taylor in double-figure scoring as did junior forward Lesslee Mason, whose 10 points and nine rebounds left her just one board shy of her sixth double-double this season.
Junior guard Brittney Scott also contributed 12 points in the win, while sophomore guard Roxana Button and junior guard Jasmine Johnson came off the Cougar bench to score 11 and 10 points, respectively. Houston, which features only nine healthy players, got great contributions from its reserves as UH's bench outscored the Green Wave 22-13.
The Cougars came out of the gate swarming in Saturday's contest, but could not capitalize on the offensive end where they made just one of their first eight shots.
Houston's intensity did not waver in face of the early shooting woes and a running jumper by Brittany Mason jumper gave the Cougars their first lead of the afternoon at 8-7.
Leading 12-10 with about 12 minutes to play in the opening period, Houston began to pull away with a 12-0 run which culminated in a 23-10 Houston lead at the 7:17 mark on a 3-pointer by Johnson. Much of the run was powered by the aggressive play of the Cougar guards, including Button who scored seven points during the spurt.
Tulane was able to cut the lead to single digits at 25-16 with 5:16 to play, but the Cougars reeled off another run. This time a 12-5 spurt over the next 4:17 left them with their biggest advantage of the half at 37-21 and just 42 seconds remaining.
The Cougars took a 37-23 lead into the intermission with their first half cause aided greatly by their 28-13 advantage in the rebounding column, led by Taylor who had 11 boards at the break.
After halftime, the Green Wave went on the offensive in an attempt to wrestle the lead away from the Cougars. Tulane scored eight of the first 10 points during the second half to cut the lead down to single digits at 39-31 on a lay-up by Roshaunda Barnes at the 17:20 mark.
Houston was able to rebuild its advantage to 13 but another Tulane run threaten to knock the Cougars from control of the contest. The Green Wave's Chassity Brown knocked down a 3-pointer with 8:28 to play, leaving Houston ahead by just four points at 53-49.
The Cougars quickly countered with a 7-0 spurt of their own to push the home lead back to 11 with 4:04 remaining.
Tulane hung tough to pull back within six at 62-56 following a 3-pointer by Brown, but that would as close as the Green Wave would get. Houston claimed 12 of the game's last 18 points to secure the victory.
UP NEXT
The 2009-10 regular season comes to a close next Thursday when the Cougars host cross-town rival Rice in a 2 p.m. contest at Hofheinz Pavilion. Prior to tip-off of the Rice game, the UH women's basketball program will honor the accomplishments of the lone senior on this year's roster - Ashlee' Joseph.
