University of Houston
4-9 (0-2)
Temple
8-4 (2-0)
Furious Cougar Comeback Falls Just Shy Against Temple
1/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON â€" The Houston Cougar Women's Basketball team fell just shy in a second-half comeback effort, falling 75-66 to Temple on Saturday in Hofheinz Pavilion. Freshman guard Serithia Hawkins led the Cougars with 12 points and 11 rebounds for her second career double-double.
""First of all, I'd just like to say that I'm really, really proud of our team today: The perseverance, the fight and the intensity that we displayed," Head Coach Ronald Hughey said. "To dig a hole like that and then come back is just unbelievable. It's just a credit to who we are and that we're focused and ready to play. I'm just delighted to coach a team like that. They could have easily just folded it up and went inside and not competed, but that's not who we are. That's not the culture of our program. When we talk about chasing greatness, that's it. That's the epitome of what that is."
After a sluggish first quarter, the Cougars trailed 17-3 heading into the second frame. However, Houston would come roaring back in the final three quarters, eventually taking the lead for the first time in the game on a 3-pointer by senior Marche' Amerson to bring the score to 57-54 with 5:50 remaining in the game.
THE BASICS
Score: Temple 75, Houston 66
Records: Houston 4-9 (0-2), Temple 8-4 (2-0)
Date: Saturday, January 2, 2015
Location: Houston, Texas (Hofheinz Pavilion)
TURNING POINT
After Amerson's 3-pointer gave the Cougars the lead, Temple answered back just 20 seconds later to tie the game at 57 apiece when Feyonda Fitzgerald connected with a shot from behind the arc of her own. From there the Owls closed the contest on an 18-9 run. Fitzgerald finished the contest with 23 points.
TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: Freshman guard Serithia Hawkins earned her second career double-double tallying 12 points and 10 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass, before fouling out late in the game. Sophomore guard Mariah Mitchell added a season-high 11 points and a career-best nine rebounds, while sophomore Chyanne Butler also added a career-best 14 points.
Temple: Feyonda Fitzgerald led the Owls offensively with 23 points, including 11-of-12 shooting from the free throw line. Alliya Butts also added 20 points, while Erica Covile scored 17 to go along with six rebounds. Donnaizha Fountain led Temple with nine rebounds.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Houston had four players in double-figures. Junior guard Kierra Graves matched a career-high with 12 points along with Butler, Hawkins and Mitchell's performances.
- Houston outscored the Owls 28-4 on bench points led in most part by Butler and Mitchell's combined 25 points.
- The Cougars crashed the boards well throughout the entire game and outrebounded Temple 42-37. Houston collected 16 offensive boards which led to nine second chance points.
- After shooting 1-for-13 from the field in the first quarter, the Cougars rallied to shoot 49 percent (24-of-49) from the field over the final three quarters.
NEWS & NOTES
- The Cougars collected a season-best 17 assists in the contest against Temple including a career-best four from Butler. Senior guard Alecia Smith also had four assists, while Jessieka Palmer added three.
- After scoring four points, senior Marche' Amerson is now just 43 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 heads back on the road to continue American Athletic Conference play when they face a familiar foe, the Memphis Tigers, in Memphis Tennessee, on Tuesday, Jan. 5. That game is scheduled to tip at 5 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.
