University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
6-19, 1-13Amer.
Temple
12-14, 8-5Amer.
Cougars Fight Hard, Fall by a Dozen at Temple
2/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - A blistering first half shooting performance from Temple was too much for the University of Houston women's basketball team to overcome on Saturday as they fell to the Owls, 72-60, inside of the Liacouras Center.
The Cougars played Temple even in the second half, at 26-all, but they were down at halftime by 12 points despite a strong effort. The home team took a 46-34 lead at intermission on the strength of 69.2 percent (18-for-26) shooting, including many contested jumpers when guarded closely by a swarming Houston defense.
Houston had a solid performance of their own despite the loss. The Coogs finished over 40 percent from the floor for a second straight game, at 42.6 percent (20-for-47), and they recorded 13 assists.
 | THE BASICS |
Score: Temple 72, Houston 60
Records: Houston 6-19 (1-13 American), Temple 12-14 (8-5 American)
Date: Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. (Liacouras Center)
| TURNING POINT |
After trailing since the 15:47 mark of the first half, Houston sliced the Temple lead to 56-50 on a Jessieka Palmer free throw with 7:41 remaining. But Temple scored on their next two possessions to boost the lead back to double-digits, and the Coogs could get no closer.
| TOP PERFORMERS |
Houston: Tyler Gilbert and Mariah Mitchell each scored 13 points to lead the Cougars. Gilbert blocked three shots, and Marche' Amerson pulled in a game-high seven rebounds.
Temple: Alliya Butts scored 22 points and was one of five Temple players in double-figures.
| INSIDE THE BOX SCORE |
- For the game, Temple shot 51.0 percent (26-for-51) overall and 58.3 percent (7-for-12) from 3-point land.
- All seven of Temple's 3-pointers came in the first half.
- Houston finished with 13 assists to just 13 turnovers. Alecia Smith led UH with five helpers.
- As a club, the Cougars were 15-for-18 (83.3 percent) from the free throw line.
- Mitchell led all players with three steals, and she finished 6-for-6 from the charity stripe.
- Smith, Amerson and Palmer all finished just outside of double-digits, with nine points apiece.
- Gilbert was 6-for-6 from the field with 13 points at the intermission to lead the Cougars.
- The Owls were 7-for-10 (70.0 percent) from 3-point range in the opening half.
| NEWS & NOTES |
- Gilbert has blocked a shot in 24 of Houston's 25 games this season and has 17 multi-block appearances.
- The junior now has 57 blocks this season, one behind Valerie Muoneke (2001-02) for the seventh-best season in UH history.
- Mitchell hit her 20th 3-point field goal of the season in the game, which ranks her 10th in Houston history among freshmen.
- Smith finished 3-for-4 from 3-point range and now has 107 career trifectas.
- With one more 3-pointer, Smith will drain her 39th of the season and set a new single-season personal best.
- Temple holds a 3-0 edge over Houston in the all-time series.
| UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS |
Houston finishes their road swing against No. 2/1 UConn on Tuesday night at 6 pm CT. The game will be televised regionally by SNY and available on the ESPN Full Court subscription package. Live streaming is available on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app.
| JOIN THE HOUSTON COACHING STAFF FOR A DAY |
You could be a member of the Houston Women's Basketball coaching staff for a day! Register now for your opportunity to be Houston's Honorary Coach on Feb. 21, 2015, when the Cougars host SMU. The registration form is available at UHCougars.com/HonoraryCoach.
The Honorary Coach will have the opportunity to meet Head Coach Ronald Hughey and the team before the game, join the team for a pregame locker room chalk talk, and watch the team warm up on the court. During the game, our Honorary Coach will sit adjacent to the Cougar bench and have the best seat in the house as Coach Hughey leads the Coogs to victory over the Mustangs.
Register today! The deadline is Feb. 19 at noon CT, and the UH Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will randomly draw a winner later that day. The winner will be contacted directly by a member of the UH staff and will also be announced on the women's basketball team's Twitter and Facebook accounts. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
| BE THE COOGS' MOST DEDICATED FAN AT "H" DAY |
The Cougars return home on Saturday, Feb. 21 to host SMU as part of the "H" Day celebration. Houston fans can purchase a $50 all-inclusive ticket which includes entry to the "H" Association BBQ dinner, Houston Women's Basketball vs. SMU at 2 p.m., Houston Softball vs. New Mexico at 3 p.m. and Texas A&M Corpus Christi at 5:30 p.m., Houston Baseball vs. Alabama at 6:30 p.m. and Houston Men's Basketball vs. Cincinnati at 8:30 p.m. UH supporters looking to attend the BBQ only can purchase a BBQ ticket for $15. | TICKETS
Fans who attend all four events have a chance to be named the Coogs' Most Dedicated Fan. Houston fans can pick up their Dedicated Coog card at the Women's Basketball game at Hofheinz Pavilion and pick up their first of four hole-punches. Fans who enter the venue of each sporting event and show their Dedicated Coog card will receive a hole-punch from the Houston Athletics Marketing Department.
Receive a fourth punch and turn in a completed card at Hofheinz at the Men's Basketball game and fans will receive a special edition Coogs' Most Dedicated Fan t-shirt and be entered into the Coogs' Most Dedicated Fan grand prize consisting of batting practice for two with Houston Baseball, throwing out the first pitch at the March 22 Houston Softball game vs. USF, a suite for 20 at the March 1 Houston Men's Basketball game vs. USF, serve as the honorary head coach for the March 2 Houston Women's Basketball game vs. Temple and receive two field passes for the Houston Football Spring Game on April 18.
| 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 .
| STUDENTS - CHEER ON YOUR COUGARS! |
All UH main campus students are admitted FREE to regular season women's basketball home games with a valid student ID.
--UHCougars.com--
