University of Houston
Washington
Huskies Defeat Lady Cougars 76-65 in Invitational Championship
12/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 7, 2002
Raleigh, N.C. - Despite 29 points by All-American guard Chandi Jones, the University of Houston women's basketball team fell to Washington 76-65 Saturday night at Reynolds Coliseum in the 2002 GlaxoSmithKline Invitational championship game. Jones, who was named tournament MVP, led Houston (5-3, 0-0 C-USA) as the Huskies snapped the Lady Cougars' four-game win streak.
Jones, an All-American and the 2002 Conference USA Player of the Year, led all scorers with 29 points, six rebounds and three steals. Shondra Bush, who also earned all-tournament honors, was the other Lady Cougar to score in double figures, adding 18 points, five rebounds and two steals. Overall, the duo combined for 47 of Houston's 65 points and played 40 minutes apiece.
Washington (6-1, 0-0 Pac-10) was led by center Andrea Lalum, who racked up 20 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. All-America candidates Loree Payne chipped in 17 and Giuliana Mendiola added 13 for the Huskies.
The Lady Cougars and Huskies kept the first half close as the lead changed nine times before Washington went on a late 14-4 run and took the lead 32-24 with 3:24 on the clock. Jones answered with two straight buckets and the teams went to the half with a Husky advantage, 34-28.
Boosted by Kayla Burt's five straight points, Washington came out strong and was able to keep the lead from the half and for the remainder of the game. A seven-point scoring drive by Jones brought Houston within two, 44-42, at the 14:13 mark, but it was as close as the Lady Cougars could get. The Huskies answered with a 6-0 run and were able to overcome the tired Houston squad, 76-65.
Houston tallied 11 steals and forced 20 Husky turnovers but was outshot 50 to 35 percent from the floor. Washington shot 16-28 as a squad and was 6-10 from behind the arc in the second half.
The loss to Washington snapped a four-game win streak for the Lady Cougars, who are now 0-3 against the Huskies and 3-11 all-time against Pac-10 opponents. Washington finished 19-12 in 2002 and was picked to finish second behind Stanford in the Pac-10 this season. Host NC State, who lost to Washington 88-78 Friday, defeated the Gators in the invitational consolation game earlier Saturday.
Houston will take a week off for finals and return to Hofheinz Pavilion for a tough three-game home stint. The Lady Cougars will host No. 14 Georgia Dec. 20 at 7 p.m., Texas A & M Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. and Alabama Jan. 4 at 2 p.m.
