University of Houston
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Houston Jaguars
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Women's Basketball Knocks off Houston Jaguars in Exhibition Action
11/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2008
HOUSTON - In their final tune up before the start of the 2008-09 regular season, the University of Houston women's basketball team defeated the Houston Jaguars, 70-61, in exhibition action at Hofheinz Pavilion.
The games begin to count on Friday as the Cougars kick off their campaign by hosting Southeastern Louisiana in a 5:30 p.m. contest on their home court.
The combination of skill and youth on the UH roster made its presence felt Monday as sophomores Cobilyn Hill and Courtney Taylor each recorded double-doubles in the victory. Taylor led the squad with 17 points on 7-of-19 shooting and added 10 rebounds, while Hill contributed 10 points and 11 boards.
Additionally, pair of freshmen making their first appearances in Cougar uniforms each enjoyed spectacular debuts. Roxana Button went 5-of-6 from the free throw line to chip in 12 points, while classmate Porsche Landry passed out a game-high eight assists.
Sophomore Brittney Scott got going early in the game, draining a long distance shot before adding a field goal for five quick points before the first media time out at the 15:24 mark of the opening period.
Button sank a pair of free throws and converted a short jumper in transition to give UH a 14-8 lead, but a pair of three-point baskets by the Jaguars tied the game at 14-14 with 13:42 on the clock.
After back-and-forth action saw each team try to establish control of the contest, the Jaguars were able to take a 24-23 with 8:38 remaining in the half, but a quick basket by UH's Taylor regained the advantage for the home team on the ensuing trip up the court.
Back-to-back baskets by Jasmine Johnson upped the home advantage to 35-29 with 4:12 to play and forced a Jaguar timeout.
The first half came to a close with UH holding a 43-27 advantage. During the first period, the Cougars converted 14-of-42 shot opportunities for a 33.3 shooting percentage, while the Jaguars shot 37.2 percent from the field (16-of-43). Taylor, riding an exceptional first 20 minutes, led the way for the home squad with nine points and seven rebounds.
Taylor's short jumper at the 15:48 mark of the second half gave the Cougars their biggest lead of the night at 50-43.
The Jaguars held strong and did not fade in the contest as former UH All-American Chandi Jones knotted the game at 55-55 with 10:31 to play as she drained a three-pointer to cap a 9-2 Jaguar run. Jones led all scorers in the contest with 20 points on 8-of-18 shooting.
Following another tie at 57-57, UH used a 5-0 spurt to again take a two possession lead in the contest and would never again allow the visitors within three points on the lead.
For the game, the Cougars shot 32.9 percent from the floor (24-of-73) and 3-of-10 from three point range.
The game also mark the return to the court of UH head coach Joe Curl. The 11th year head coach of the Cougars missed all of last season with medical issues.
