Blair Scores 30, Houston Upsets No. 24 South Florida

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – Laila Blair hit six 3-pointers and scored a career-high 30 points to help Houston upset No. 24/21 South Florida 71-69 on Sunday for Houston's first win over a ranked opponent since 2021, also against South Florida, and its first road win over a ranked opponent since 2004.

Houston (10-13, 7-3 American), which never trailed after a Blair 3-pointer made it 7-5 and led by 13 in the third quarter, never flinched when Sammie Puisis hit a 3-pointer for South Florida to tie the game at 58 with 7:35 to play.

South Florida (22-5, 11-1 American), which had won 12 straight, was 12-0 at home and was trying to go 12-0 in American Athletic Conference play for the first time.

Blair, the reigning player of the week, scored 22 of her 30 points in the first half and made five of her six threes in the first half.

It was 40-31 at the half as Blair pulled up for a buzzer-beating 3 a couple steps inside half court.

🤯 ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!

Blair time ⌚️ 22 first half points!! 2️⃣2️⃣!#SCTop10 x @espnW pic.twitter.com/0ZqS0YJ3X7
— Houston Women's Basketball (@UHCougarWBB) February 12, 2023

Bria Patterson made one of two free throws with 12.2 seconds left to put Houston on top 70-66. Elena Tsineke converted a three-point play with 4.9 to go but after Patterson again made 1 of 2 foul shots at four seconds, USF had no timeouts left to get off a good shot.

Britney Onyeje scored 14 points for Houston which has won four straight. Tiara Young had 13 points and Patterson added 11.

The Cougars only shot 41% and were out-rebounded 41-24, but they made 11 of 24 from 3-point range and forced 19 South Florida turnovers.

Tsineke scored 24 points and Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu added 19 with 19 rebounds for the Bulls.

UP NEXT
Houston will return home to Fertitta Center Wednesday to play Memphis at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN+. The Cougars and Tigers will meet for the first time this season after their Feb. 1 game in Tennessee was postponed due to severe weather.

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