University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
1-5
Iowa
6-1
Cougars End Lone Star Showcase with Close Loss to No. 25/21 Iowa
11/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
AUSTIN, Texas - The University of Houston Women's Basketball team hung tough Saturday on the final day of the Lone Star Showcase before falling to No. 25/21 Iowa, 64-50, at the Cedar Park Center. Freshman Serithia Hawkins finished just shy of a double-double in her sixth collegiate game.
"I'm proud of the improvements we made after yesterday's game in the areas of rebounding and defense, because I knew we were capable of so much more," Houston head coach Ronald Hughey said. "To beat a team the caliber of Iowa in rebounding shows how much potential our team has. We still have to address some issues on the offensive end and play a consistent 40 minutes, but when we do, we will make some noise in conference play."
The Cougars stayed close to the Hawkeyes on the strength of a renewed defensive effort and top-notch rebounding. Houston outrebounded Iowa, 47-46, including 26 offensive rebounds, and they held the Hawkeyes to 38.5 percent (20-for-52) shooting.
 | THE BASICS |
Score: No. 25/21 Iowa 64, Houston 50
Records: Houston 1-5, Iowa 6-1
Date: Saturday, November 28, 2015
Tournament: Lone Star Showcase
Location: Austin, Texas (Cedar Park Center)
| TURNING POINT |
Houston was down by just six points, 27-21, with 2:30 left in the first half, but the Hawkeyes took control with a substantial run before intermission. Iowa scored 11 straight, including three consecutive 3-pointers, to take a 38-21 lead, and the advantage was 38-23 heading into the break.
| TOP PERFORMERS |
Houston: Hawkins finished with 12 points and nine rebounds, just one board short of a double-double. Eight of the freshman's rebounds came on the offensive glass, and she also finished with a block and a steal.
Iowa: Ally Disterhoft was one of four Hawkeyes in double figures and scored a team-high 15 points. Alexa Kastanek drained three 3-pointers and scored 13.
| INSIDE THE BOX SCORE |
- Houston shot 25.3 percent (20-for-79) for the game, including a 33.3 percent (7-for-21) mark from 3-point territory.
- Iowa hit 7-of-20 (35.0 percent) of their 3-point attempts.
- The Hawkeyes were 17-for-23 (73.9 percent) from the free throw line, and Houston went 3-for-7 (42.9 percent).
- Tyler Gilbert also nearly recorded a double-double, with eight points and eight rebounds, and she also blocked a shot.
- Jessieka Palmer drained a pair of 3-pointers and scored eight points. She finished the Lone Star Showcase with eight 3-pointers over three days.
- Alecia Smith led Houston with three assists, while Kierra Graves pocketed three steals.
- The Hawkeyes came into the tournament outrebounding their opponents by an average of 10 boards per game, but Houston finished with a 47-46 edge Saturday.
- Iowa outscored Houston in the first two quarters, 16-12 and 22-11. The Coogs took the third, 17-16, and in the fourth, the teams tied at 10-all.
- Iowa led at halftime, 38-23. Palmer was Houston's top performers in the opening half, hitting two 3-pointers and scoring six points.
| NEWS & NOTES |
- The nine rebounds by Hawkins represent a season high by a Cougar in 2015-16.
- The freshman has now paced Houston in rebounding in their last four games.
- Smith finished with seven rebounds, one off a career high.
- Houston's 26 offensive rebounds marked a season high.
- Gilbert's blocked shot gave her at least one rejection in five of six games this year, and she now has 94 for her career, eighth in Houston history.
- Iowa now holds a 2-1 lead in the all-time series between the clubs. Houston's lone victory came in the last meeting before Saturday, 70-64 in 2003.
| UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS |
Houston has a week off before facing city rival Rice on Saturday, Dec. 5. Tipoff is set for Saturday, Dec. 5 at Tudor Fieldhouse on the Rice campus in Houston.
The Coogs have beaten their city rival four straight times and holds a 51-10 all-time series edge. Last year, the Cougars defeated the Owls, 59-58, on a last-second 3-point field goal.
Houston returns to Hofheinz Pavilion Dec. 12, when they take on UNLV. Tickets are available at UHCougars.com/tickets as the Cougars and Runnin' Rebels share the court for the first time since Dec. 22, 1994, a 77-64 Houston victory.
| $50 SHASTA PASS NOW AVAILABLE |
The Houston Fan Experience Headquarters is proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2015-16 athletic season. For only $50, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Women's Basketball, Volleyball and Softball home games.
The Shasta Pass offers Houston fans a substantial savings as single-game tickets start at $8 for all four sports. Fans can save $126 alone during the Houston fall sports seasons. To purchase a Shasta Pass, CLICK HERE.
| 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.
--UHCougars.com--
