Cougars Host Incarnate Word in Hofheinz Opener
11/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON GAME NOTES
HOUSTON - The University of Houston women's basketball team is back in town to host their 2014-15 home opener on Monday, November 17, when the University of the Incarnate Word visits Hofheinz Pavilion. Tipoff is set for 7 pm CT.
Monday's game is SAAC Hunger Night at Hofheinz. Fans who bring a canned good will be entered into a drawing to win a basketball signed by the entire Cougar team. Also, if the Cougars win, registered fans will receive a free ticket to the next home game, on December 3 against Rice. | TICKETS Live video coverage is available for subscribers at UHCougars.com, and an audio broadcast is available at Houston's Stretch Internet Portal. Live Twitter updates can be accessed throughout the game by following the official UH women's basketball account, @UHCougarWBB.
LAST TIME OUT | Final Stats Houston opened the Ronald Hughey Era with a 46-42 win over North Texas on November 14 in Denton, Texas. Defense set the tone for the Cougars, who held UNT to 27.1% shooting and forced 22 turnovers.
Alecia Smith and Tyler Gilbert took turns shouldering the scoring load for Houston and finished with 10 points each. Smith scored all 10 of her points in the first half, and Gilbert added eight of her 10 in the second period.
Gilbert added nine rebounds to nearly collect a double-double, and she matched a career-high with three blocks.
In addition to their defensive toughness, Houston dominated the glass on Friday night, winning the rebounding battle 48-32. Gilbert led the club, and Jessieka Palmer matched a career high with seven boards.
SERIES HISTORY vs. INCARNATE WORD
This is the first ever meeting between Houston and Incarnate Word
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
Provisional members of NCAA Division I and the Southland Conference, Incarnate Word fell to Texas Wesleyan on November 14, 74-66. The Cardinals were led by 24 points from Aricka Adams. | Final Stats
Since transitioning to Division I before last season, UIW is 8-20. Houston is the first American Athletic Conference opponent that they have faced since beginning their Division I journey.
COUGARS DOMINATE HUSTON-TILLOTSON IN EXHIBITION WIN
Houston routed Huston-Tillotson, 100-37, on November 9 in their lone exhibition game. The Cougars forced 51 turnovers and collected 38 steals with another suffocating defensive effort.
Smith and Mariah Mitchell led Houston with 13 points apiece.
All 11 Cougars who played in the game finished with at least four points and two steals.
A NEW ERA FOR HOUSTON BASKETBALL
This is Hughey's first collegiate head coaching job. Prior to joining the Cougars, Hughey was a Division I collegiate assistant for 10 seasons, including stops at South Carolina State, South Carolina, UCF, Rutgers, Texas and Florida State.
Hughey is a veteran of seven postseason tournaments, including six visits to the NCAA Tournament and one appearance in the Women's NIT. At his last stop, Florida State, Hughey helped guide the Seminoles to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament in both 2012-13 and 2013-14.
A vaunted recruiter, Hughey helped Florida State and Texas land four recruiting classes that were ranked in the top-15 nationally by ESPN Hoopgurlz.
VETERAN CLUB RETURNS FOR HOUSTON
Hughey will have an experienced group to work with in 2014-15, as nine letterwinners and two starters are back from last season. Leading the charge among Houston's returners is Marche' Amerson. The Bryan native led the Cougars and ranked 18th in the American Athletic Conference with 10.4 points per game last season. Amerson scored in double-figures 15 times last season, and she led the club in scoring on 13 occasions.
Terran Alford is the only fourth-year member of the UH roster. The Oklahoma City, Okla. product was a two-time Conference USA Freshman of the Week in 2011-12.
Smith put up 5.2 points and drained exactly 1.0 three-pointers per game in 2013-14, which ranked 15th in the American. Fellow junior Palmer pulled in 4.4 points and 1.6 rebounds per game last season and hit 21 three-pointers.
COUGARS PICKED 11th IN AMERICAN PRESEASON POLL
Houston was selected 11th in the American Athletic Conference Preseason Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll, released at Media Day in New York City on October 30.
Said Hughey on UH's preseason ranking: "I embrace the challenge that comes with being picked 11th in our conference. Our program knows that building championships is a process, and we are looking forward to exceeding expectations this season."
Defending NCAA Division I National Champion Connecticut was picked to repeat at American champions. The Huskies received all 100 possible points after going 40-0 last season. USF, who made the Women's NIT last season, received the final 1st place vote.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Houston is on the road to face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Friday, November 21. Tipoff in Corpus Christi, Texas is scheduled for 7 pm CT in Houston's final pre-Thanksgiving game.
The next home game for Houston is set for December 3, when they welcome crosstown rival Rice to Hofheinz Pavilion. | TICKETS
--UHCougars.com--
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive daily information and in-game updates by following @UHCougarWBB on Twitter. Fans can also catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at facebook.com/UHCougarWBB
BUY SEASON TICKETS
Fans can take the first step toward the 2014-15 Houston Women's Basketball season by placing deposits with the Athletics Ticket Office at UHCougars.com or by clicking here . The deposit is not a fee and will go toward the cost of season tickets.
Under Hughey's leadership, the Cougars will play 11 contests against teams who qualified for NCAA postseason play a year ago with eight of those against American Athletic Conference rivals.
To purchase tickets in person, fans can visit the Athletics Ticket Stadium Office located on the northeast corner of TDECU Stadium, just outside of Gate 1 off Cullen Boulevard. Parking is available in the TDECU Stadium parking garage with the first 30 minutes free of charge. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m., to 5:30 p.m.
All UH main campus students are admitted FREE to regular season Women's Basketball home games with a valid student ID.
