University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
6-16,1-10AAC
East Carolina
15-8,6-6AAC
Houston Falls Short on Tuesday Night
2/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
GREENVILLE, N.C. - The University of Houston women's basketball team gave East Carolina a fight throughout the first half before the Pirates were able to earn the victory, 79-56, on Tuesday night at Minges Coliseum.
Making her first start since Jan. 21, Jessieka Palmer paced the Cougars with 13 points. Fellow junior Marche' Amerson added 11.
Houston led early in the game and was down by just six points with 2:15 remaining in the first period. But the Pirates sandwiched a 10-0 run around the halftime break and held a double-digit lead for the rest of the night.
THE BASICS
Score: East Carolina 79, Houston 56
Records: Houston 6-16 (1-10 American), East Carolina 15-8 (6-6 American)
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015
Location: Greenville, N.C. (Minges Coliseum)
TURNING POINT
Houston trailed for much of the first half but sliced the deficit to 32-26 on a Terran Alford layup with 2:15 left in the period. The Pirates scored the final five points before halftime, however, and they started the second half with five more points to increase their advantage to 16.
TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: Palmer led Houston in scoring for the sixth time this season, while Amerson grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
East Carolina: Shae Nelson came off the bench to lead ECU with 18 points. Abria Trice scored 16 and Jasmine Phillips chipped in 14.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- East Carolina shot 45.3 percent (24-for-53), while the Cougars finished at 41.7 percent (20-for-48).
- The home team's biggest advantage came in free throws, where they were 25-for-28 (89.3 percent) and Houston connected on 12-of-16 (75.0 percent).
- Amerson, Demetria Foreman and Bianca Winslow each led Houston with three assists.
- Houston's best run came early in the first half. After falling behind, 12-3, the Cougars scored nine straight, capped by an Amerson layup at the 12:21 mark, to tie the game at 12-all.
- The Pirates led at halftime, 37-26, after going 14-for-14 from the free throw line in the period.
- Amerson led the Cougars with six points and three rebounds at halftime.
NEWS & NOTES
- Tyler Gilbert blocked two shots in the game and now has 15 multi-block games this season.
- With 70 career blocks, Gilbert is three behind Rosheda Hopson (1994-96) for ninth on Houston's career list.
- Winslow continued to play well defensively, finishing with three steals.
- The loss is the first this season for the Cougars when shooting over 40 percent.
- Houston still holds a 9-5 lead in the all-time series against East Carolina.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Houston plays again on Saturday at 2 pm CT against Tulsa. The Cougars will host Dads & Daughters Date Day, with a ticket package for two available online for just $15. Giveaways include hats for dads, pink flowers for daughters and a commemorative picture overlooking the Hofheinz court. | TICKETS
For fans unable to join the Cougars in person, Saturday's game will be broadcast live on ESPN3. | WATCH
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 .
DADS & DAUGHTERS DATE DAY
Houston will host Dads & Daughters Date Day on Feb. 7 at the Tulsa game. Dads can purchase a ticket bundle for two online for just $15. | TICKETS
The ticket bundle includes two tickets, a special hat for dads and a pink flower for daughters. Also, a photo station will be set up for dads and their daughter to take a special picture overlooking the Hofheinz court.
NATIONAL GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY
The Cougars will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day when they host Memphis on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Houston will also hold their Coogs for the Cure event on that night, raising money for cancer awareness.
The Feb. 11 women's basketball game will be a "Pay as You Wish" event, where Cougar fans can enter the game by making a donation in the amount of their choosing. Fans are encouraged to give generously, as a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Coogs for the Cure program, which is dedicated to the fight against cancer.
All Houston women's student-athletes will be in attendance, and the Cougars will honor their achievements on and off the court throughout the night. In addition, the first 250 fans will receive a Coogs for the Cure t-shirt, and the first 1,000 fans will receive a commemorative pink pom-pom.
Fans are encouraged to join the festivities and bring their group to be a part of the fun. For more information and to register your group, please contact Daniel Foster at dfoster3@Central.uh.edu or (713) 743-9453.
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--
