University of Houston
8-10 (1-4)
Temple
14-3 (5-0)
Valiant Effort Falls Shy for Houston
1/18/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON â€" The Houston Cougar Women's Basketball team fell to RV/RV Temple 69-57 in its return to Hofheinz Pavilion on Wednesday. Sophomore Serithia Hawkins returned to the lineup to lead the Cougars with 12 points.
"We had tremendous effort in everything we did except for rebounding the ball," Head Coach Ronald Hughey said. "We got out rebounded, and it was the one thing we didn't continue to fight on like we needed to. Defensively, we were on them and close enough to contest shots. Our offensive effort, togetherness, willingness to make the next pass, ball movement, and a lot of things we did were positive for this game. We didn't have a lot of turnovers. We shot a great percentage from the free throw line and overall for the game. We just didn't rebound the basketball. When you give up second and third opportunities, especially in the fourth quarter, four or five possessions in a row, it kills you."
Temple opened the contest on a 7-0 run before a 3-pointer from freshman Angela Harris put the Cougars on the scoreboard. However, Houston struggled from the field in the first quarter, shooting just 4-of-14 (28.6 percent) to open the game. After one quarter, Temple led 19-11.
The Owls stayed hot to start the second quarter, extending the lead to as much as 29-15 early in the period. However, the Cougars would come storming back with a 7-0 run capped by an old-fashioned 3-point play from freshman Jasmyne Harris to cut the lead to 29-22. From there the squads traded baskets for the remainder of the half and went to the break with the score 39-33 in favor of Temple.
The third quarter was a tale of two different runs, with Temple striking first on a 15-4 run to open the half. The Cougars would answer with a 13-0 flurry of their own to end the half to cut the lead to four at 54-50. Angela Harris started the rally with an and-1 and capped it with a layup with 56 seconds remaining in the frame. Harris finished the contest with 10 points and a career-best eight rebounds.
THE BASICS
Score: Temple 69, Houston 57
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017
Location: Houston, Texas (Hofheinz Pavilion)
TURNING POINT
After Houston's 13-0 run ended the third quarter, Temple's defense clamped down for the final 10 minutes. The Owls held the Cougars to just 20 percent (2-10) from the field and seven points in the fourth quarter. Temple finished the game on a 15-7 run to win 69-57.
"We talked about how we can fix it in practice," Hughey said. "Coming to practice with that mentality of 'we're going to rebound the basketball and push it in transition.' We got in transition, had the opportunity to get some good looks and to do the things to be successful like making the next pass. We have to have the energy after made or missed shots to turn around and play defense. I definitely love the four people in double figures. Now we have to get four people with double-digit rebounds."
TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: The Cougars had four players finish with double-figures, including a team-high 12 from Hawkins. Angela Harris finished the contest with 10 points and a game-high eight rebounds, while Jasmyne Harris had 11 points and Jacqueline Blake finished with 10. Junior Chyanne Butler led the team with a career-best seven assists.
Temple: The Owls were paced offensively by Donnaizha Fountain who led all scorers with 23 points. Feyonda Fitzgerald finished with 22 despite leaving the contest briefly due to injury, and Alliya Butts contributed 14 points. On the glass, Ruth Sherrill pulled down a game-high 19 rebounds, while Fitzgerald led all players with 11 assists.
NEWS AND NOTES
- For the 15th time this season, the Cougars won the battle in bench points. Houston's reserves outscored Temple's bench 21-4.
- Houston forced the Owls to commit 19 turnovers in the contest, leading to 19 points of turnovers for the Cougars. Jasmyne Harris finished the game with a career-high five steals.
- The Cougars were able to work down low, defeating Temple in the points in the paint category 26-18.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Houston wraps up its 2-game home-stand with a matchup against in-state rival SMU on Saturday, Jan. 21. Tipoff against the Mustangs is scheduled for 2 p.m., inside Hofheinz Pavilion, with the game airing live via the American Digital Network.
PURCHASE A SHASTA PASS
The Houston Athletics Ticket Office is proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2016-17 athletic season. For just $80, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Women's Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Softball home games. Fans can order a Shasta Pass by clicking .
FLOOR SEATS SEASON TICKET PACKAGE
The Houston Athletics Ticket Office also offers a Floor Seats season ticket package. For just $250, fans will have courtside access to all 14 Houston home games in 2016-17. Fans can purchase a season ticket package for Floor Seats by clicking HERE.
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Single-game tickets for all 14 games inside Hofheinz Pavilion are on sale now via the Houston Athletics Ticket Office. Prices begin at just $5 for general admission seats and range up to $20 for floor seats. General admission group tickets are offered to parties of 10+ for $3 each. Single-game tickets can be purchased 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.
