University of Houston
5-20 (1-13)
East Carolina
10-16 (4-10)
Cougars Fall Despite Late Rally
2/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON â€" Three Houston Cougars scored in double-figures including a game-high 11 from Tyler Gilbert, but the Cougars were unable to complete a second half comeback, falling to the ECU Pirates 68-59 inside Hofheinz Pavilion, on Wednesday.
"We came out and had a really good game plan," head coach Ronald Hughey said. "But again you can't go 4-for-17 from three, 2-for-9 in the second half with 22 percent, especially with wide open shots. To have an opportunity to have Tyler Gilbert show up and be really aggressive was really good. She had 11 and nine tonight, but we need her to always step up and be able to finish as well. The only thing she didn't do, was she was 50 percent from the free-throw line, and she's usually a better free throw shooter than that. Hats off to them, Heather Macey and her East Carolina team, they always play hard. They rebound the basketball, and we did a good job of rebounding as well. There weren't points in the paint and that was the biggest stat that mattered the most."
The Cougars jumped out to an early 8-2 three lead on a couple of 3-point baskets by Marche' Amerson and Mariah Mitchell, but the Pirates were able to settle the Cougars down and went on a 19-6 run to end the first quarter with a 21-14 lead.
The two teams traded baskets for most of the second quarter, and entered the half with the Pirates on top 34-25 lead. Amerson and fellow senior Bianca Winslow led the Cougars into the break with five points apiece, and Houston had eight Cougars find the scoreboard in the first 20 minutes.
THE BASICS
Score: East Carolina 68, Houston 59
Records: Houston 5-20 (1-13), East Carolina 10-16 (4-10)
Date: Friday, Feb. 17, 2016
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. (McGonigle Hall)
TURNING POINT
Houston came out strong in the third quarter and outscored the Pirates 18-15 to cut the lead to 49-43 heading into the final quarter. The Cougars would pick up where they left off in the fourth quarter and opened the frame on a 5-2 run to cut into the lead. Houston worked the scored down to 61-58 with just 2:11 to play, but the Pirates would end the game on a 7-1 run to close out the contest.
TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: Three Cougars scored in double figures including a team-high 11 from Tyler Gilbert who also added nine rebounds. Serithia Hawkins collected 10 points for her second straight double-digit game and collected six rebounds of her own despite playing just 25 minutes due to early foul trouble. Marche' Amerson also added 10 points for the Coogs including 5-of-5 from the free throw line in 38 minutes of play.
East Carolina: I'Tiana Taylor led the Pirates with a double-double after collecting 17 points and 13 rebounds including 11 on the defensive glass. Jada Payne added a game-high 21 points, while Marina Laramie added 15 points and nine rebounds of her own.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Cougars continue to be a force on the offensive glass after outrebounding the Pirates 16-11 on their own end. Those 16 offensive rebounds led to 15 second-chance points for Houston.
- Houston got a huge boost from its non-starters and outscored East Carolina 20-0 In bench points.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
The Cougars return to action on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m., when they welcome the Cincinnati Bearcats to Hofheinz Pavilion. Saturday's game will be part of Blackout Weekend, a joint effort between the Houston Cougar men's and women's basketball teams in which the squads will wear black jerseys in front of the home fans.
The first 100 kids through the doors at Saturday's game will receive a free Houston Basketball Blackout T-Shirt.
$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.
