University of Houston
2-2
Northern Iowa
1-2
Lady Cougars Roll Over Northern Iowa 92-74
11/29/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 29, 2002
HOUSTON - All-American Chandi Jones (5-10, G/F) led all scorers with 30 points and 12 rebounds as the University of Houston women's basketball squad defeated Northern Iowa 92-74 at Hofheinz Pavilion Friday night. The contest kicked off the 2002 Houston Classic and was the first ever between the Cougars (2-2, 0-0 C-USA) and the Panthers (1-2, 0-0 MVC).
Jones, the 2002 Conference USA Player of the Year, earned her first double-double of the season and led all scorers with 30 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high eight steals. She was 12-20 from the floor and 6-7 from the charity stripe. Tonight's performance puts her game average at 25.8 points and 8.3 rebounds.
Shondra Bush (5-11, G) added 21 points and six rebounds while Nicole Oliver (5-10, G/F) posted 14 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
Northern Iowa was led by Katie Miller who posted 31 points and 13 rebounds. Amy Swisher also scored in double figures, adding 19 points and six rebounds. UNI's Alex Cook and Tara King led the team in rebounds with seven apiece.
Houston sparked a 7-0 run early to lead 9-2 at 18:11 in the first half. UNI took the lead at the 25-24 mark but a steal and layup by Oliver tied the game at 28. The lead changed 13 times before the teams retired to the locker rooms with Houston leading 46-42 at the half.
The Lady Cougars came out strong in the second half, posting four points in the first 30 seconds of play. Houston gained momentum and pushed to a 16-point lead with 12:30 left to play. UNI answered with five straight points, forcing a Houston timeout just 28 seconds later. Houston held on an 18-point lead, its largest of the night, but UNI rallied and came with in nine, 83-74. The Lady Cougars wrapped up the game with eight straight points for the win, 92-74.
Houston shot 45.7 percent and committed 24 turnovers on the night. Houston scored 44 points in the paint and 16 of those were fast break points. Both teams tallied 19 steals; the Lady Cougars posted 46 points in both halves. Houston's 92 points marks its highest since a 95-69 win over Jacksonville State Dec. 16, 2001.
Northern Iowa will take on Sam Houston State Saturday at 7 p.m. and Houston will wrap up the 2002 Houston Classic against Sam Houston State Sunday at 2 p.m.
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