Women’s Basketball Drops Heartbreaker in Overtime to Arizona

HOUSTON – Despite graduate guard Eylia Love's double-double and game-tying 3-pointer to force overtime, the University of Houston women's basketball team dropped a tough, 74-72, battle against Arizona on Saturday night inside Fertitta Center.

Houston (5-22, 1-15 Big 12) had four players score in double figures with graduate guard Laila Blair leading all scorers with 21 points. Love finished the night with 18 points to go along with 14 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Both redshirt sophomore guard Gigi Cooke and sophomore guard Kierra Merchant contributed 14 points.

The Wildcats (17-12, 8-8 Big 12) opened the game with an 8-0 run before the Cougars would answer back with a 16-3 run that included three treys and four steals for an 18-16 advantage.

In the second quarter, it was back and forth battle between the teams as Arizona continued knocking at Houston's door. The Cougars used an 8-0 run to jump out in front and headed to the locker room with a nine-point lead at 40-31.

The Wildcats came out of halftime with an answer as they used a quick 6-0 spurt to cut the lead down to three, 40-37. The Cougars responded with a 10-2 run to take a double-digit lead into the final frame.

Arizona forced nine Houston turnovers in the fourth to gain its first lead since the first quarter. A trip to the free throw line gave the Wildcats a 63-60 lead, but Love knocked down a 3-pointer with less than one second remaining to send the game into overtime.

Both teams carried the battle in the overtime period as four ties ensued, but a late second foul call sent Arizona to the free throw line to secure the victory over Houston.

UP NEXT
The Cougars head north to Fort Worth, Texas when they face #10/9 TCU at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday inside Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena.

Houston wraps up the regular season on Sunday, March 2 at 2 p.m., when it hosts UCF for Senior Day. Fans are encouraged to arrive early as the Cougars will honor Leilani Augmon, Maliyah Johnson, Laila Blair, Kateri Poole, Avalon Miller, Eylia Love and Peyton McFarland for their contributions to the program.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women's Basketball by purchasing single game tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and by joining the Fast Break Club which provides support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB on X and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarWBB or on the team's Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.

– UHCougars.com –

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