University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
4-8, 0-1
Tulane
10-3, 1-0
Cougars Open Conference with Loss at Tulane
12/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
NEW ORLEANS -- The Houston Cougar women's basketball team opened American Athletic Conference play by dropping a 70-48 decision to Tulane on Wednesday, at Devlin Fieldhouse in New Orleans, Louisiana.
"We didn't come out with a lot of focus and energy in the beginning," Head Coach Ronald Hughey said. "It's all about energy and effort: especially when you're playing a good team. You can't have live ball turnovers to allow them to get into transition, and you have to rebound the basketball. Those two things we didn't do well to start out. But, we'll get back and fix things, and watch the Peach Bowl, and support the football team, and then we'll go to practice."
Houston trailed by just six to end the first quarter when Marche' Amerson hit a three-pointer as time was winding down to make the game 17-11. After Tulane took a 38-16 lead into the half, the two teams played neck-and-neck for the remainder of the contest, with each team scoring 32 points in the second half.
THE BASICS
Score: Tulane 70, Houston 48
Records: Houston 4-8 (0-1), Tulane 10-3 (1-0)
Date: Sunday, December 30, 2015
Location: New Orleans, La. (Devlin Fieldhouse)
TURNING POINT
Senior forward Marche' Amerson hit a big 3-pointer as time was winding down in the first quarter to cut Tulane's lead to six heading into the second frame. However, the Green Wave would outscore the Cougars 21-5 in the second period to take a 38-16 lead at the half.
TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: Senior forward Marche' Amerson led the Cougars on offense scoring 11 points, while also finishing as the team's leading rebounder with seven. Sophomore guard Chyanne Butler a career-high eight points of her own to go along with four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Tulane: Leslie Vorpahl scored 25 points and assisted on seven baskets to lead the Green Wave offensively. Vorpahl shot 10-of-15 from the field including 5-for-7 from behind the 3-point line. Tulane also got a big contribution from Tierra Jones who registered a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- All 12 Cougars who saw action in the game registered a rebound in the contest. Senior Marche' Amerson led all Houston rebounders with seven while Chyanne Butler and Serithia Hawkins each added four of their own.
- Houston outrebounded the Green Wave on the offensive end, collecting 14 offensive boards to Tulane's 11. The Cougars outscored Tulane 12-6 on second chance points.
- Houston forced 16 turnovers in the game which led to 11 Cougar points off turnovers.
NEWS & NOTES
- With her block late in the contest, senior Tyler Gilbert now has 100 rejections in her career making her just the sixth Cougar in school history to record triple-digit blocks.
- After scoring 11 points, senior Marche' Amerson is now just 47 points shy of 1,000 for her career. When she reaches the 1,000 point plateau, Amerson will become the 23rd Cougar in history to reach that milestone.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Houston returns home to open the New Year, for their first American Athletic Conference game inside Hofheinz Pavilion when they face Temple on Saturday, Jan. 2. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT.
$50 SHASTA PASS NOW AVAILABLE
The Houston Fan Experience Headquarters is proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2015-16 athletic season. For only $50, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Women's Basketball and Softball home games.
The Shasta Pass offers Houston fans a substantial savings as single-game tickets start at $8 for all four sports. Fans can save $126 alone during the Houston fall sports seasons. To purchase a Shasta Pass, CLICK HERE.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive daily information and in-game updates by following @UHCougarWBB on Twitter. Fans can also catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at facebook.com/UHCougarWBB.
