University of Houston Athletics
Women's Basketball Set to Play Host to Tulane
2/7/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 7, 2012
| TULANE (17-5 • 6-3) at HOUSTON (2-19 • 1-8) | |
|---|---|
| Time | 7 p.m. • Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012 |
| Location | Hofheinz Pavilion (8,479) • Houston |
| Tickets | Ticket Information |
| Series History | Tulane leads 17-12 |
| Last Time | Tulane 70, Houston 60 (3/11/11) |
| Radio | Listen Live Houston Sports Network online broadcast powered by Stretch Internet Jeremy Branham, (play-by-play), Louis Ray (Color) |
| Live Video | UH All Access |
| Live Stats | |
| Game Notes | Houston Notes  Tulane Notes Conference USA Notebook |
| Social Media |  Facebook •  Twitter |
HOUSTON - The University of Houston women's basketball team returns to Hofheinz Pavilion to play host to C-USA rival Tulane at 7 p.m., Thursday.
The Cougars will look to carry over the success they found offensively in the second half of a 67-53 loss to Tulsa on Sunday, where they scored 41 points and shot 43 percent (15-of-35) from the field.
Despite scoring only 12 points and shooting 19 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes, the Cougars managed to keep the contest close until a Tulsa 3-pointer with under two minutes remaining put the contest out of reach.
Amanda Lawson and Terran Alford have continued to make an impact over the second half of the season as both were recently tabbed the C-USA Freshman of the Week. The two continued their strong play against Tulsa on Sunday, combining for 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Lawson has scored in double-figures in seven of nine C-USA contests to average 11.0 points per game in conference action and tops all freshmen in the league with 9.3 points per game overall.
Alford also ranks as the top freshmen in C-USA in rebounding with 6.3 boards per game. The Oklahoma City, Okla., product has averaged 8.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks while shooting 63 percent (12-of-19) from the field over the last three games.
Senior guard Roxana Button reached double figures in scoring for the 18th time this season in Sunday's loss with 15 points. The Coppell, Texas, native now holds 1,018 career points and looks to compete in her 115th-consecutive game, which ranks as the seventh-longest streak in school history.
ABOUT TULANE
Since opening C-USA play with a 1-3 record, Tulane has reeled off five-straight wins to improve to 17-5 overall and 6-3 in league play.
The Green Wave rank second in C-USA in scoring with 62.5 points per game, while ranking third in scoring defense by allowing only 52.6 points per contest. Tulane has shot nearly 40 percent from the field and ranks second in C-USA by handing out 15.1 assists per contest.
Junior guard Olivia Grayson paces the Green Wave, averaging 14.4 points per game while ranking fourth in the league in assists (3.2 apg) and steals (2.5 spg). Senior center Brett Benzio has wreaked havoc in the post, averaging a near double-double with 9.6 points and 9.5 rebounds per contest. Benzio also ranks second in C-USA in field-goal percentage (53.8) and third in blocked shots (2.0 bpg). Five other players are averaging at least 5.3 points per game.
SERIES HISTORY VS. TULANE
Houston and Tulane will meet for the 30th time dating back to the 1978-79 season, as the Green Wave hold a 17-12 advantage in the Conference USA rivalry.
The Cougars claimed both regular-season contests against Tulane last season, including an overtime thriller at Hofheinz Pavilion to seal a perfect 16-0 season in C-USA, before the Green Wave snapped a six-game skid against the Cougars and halted Houston's 17-game winning streak in the C-USA Tournament semifinals.
Senior Courtney Taylor averaged 22.5 points and 16.0 rebounds in the first two games against Tulane last season, but was held to just four points and nine boards in only 16 minutes before fouling out in the 70-60 loss in El Paso.
TICKET INFORMATION
Single-game tickets are now on sale at the Houston Athletics Ticket Office. Fans can purchase their tickets by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by visiting UHCougars.com and clicking the Tickets tab and following the appropriate links.
