University of Houston
-1412, 58 CUSA
South Florida
-719, 211 CUSA
Houston Secures Tourney Trip With 77-73 Win Over Bulls
2/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 28, 2003
HOUSTON - All-American Chandi Jones posted 26 points and 13 rebounds as the University of Houston women's basketball team defeated South Florida 77-73 Friday evening at Hofheinz Pavilion. The win guaranteed the Lady Cougars (14-12, 5-8 C-USA) a spot in next week's Conference USA tournament.
Jones, who currently leads the nation in scoring, (27.4 ppg), posted her 11th double-double of the season and added three assists in the win. Three other Lady Cougars scored in double figures; KiKi Harris tied her career-high, adding 13 points and Shondra Bush and Nicole Oliver each added 10 as Houston scored more than 70 points for the first time since Feb.16.
Aiya Shepherd led South Florida with a game-high 29 points and Tristen Webb added 15 as the Lady Bulls fell to 7-19 overall and 2-11 in the conference.
Houston dominated the boards and basket early, taking a 25-18 lead at the 8:30 mark. Jones and Harris scored nine points apiece to preserve the Lady Cougars' lead until South Florida went on a 6-0 to tie the game at 27-27. The Lady Cougars answered with a 10-2 run and held on to a five-point lead at halftime, 37-32.
The Lady Cougars shot 45.5 percent from the floor but just one-of-nine from behind the arc in the first half.
South Florida came within three to start the second half, but Houston made six of its first eight shots, including a 9-0 run to increase its lead to 12, leading 52-40 with 13:30 remaining. Jones stunned the Bulls with eight points over the next five minutes to bring Houston to a 15-point lead.
The Lady Cougars' win looked secure as they led 71-63 with three minutes remaining, but South Florida was relentless, hitting two treys as part of a 15-4 run to cut its lead to two, trailing 73-71 with 33 seconds remaining. Oliver, Bush and Jones hit free throws as Houston kept possession of the ball and picked up its fifth conference win of the season, prevailing 77-73.
Houston will wrap up its regular season in the friendly confines of Hofheinz Pavilion as it faces UAB Sunday at 2 p.m. Designated "Senior Day," Angela Curl and Lashinda Winters will be honored as they make their final appearances at home.
Tonight's win guaranteed Houston a trip to the 2003 C-USA Tournament, where the top 12 league finishers will face off March 6-9 in Memphis, Tenn.
