University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
3-6
UNLV
6-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNLV | 14 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 63 |
| Houston | 21 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 60 |
Cougars Fall at the Wire to UNLV, 63-60
12/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Postgame Quotes | Final Stats
HOUSTON - The University of Houston Women's Basketball team was edged in the final minutes by UNLV, 63-60, Saturday at Hofheinz Pavilion. Jessieka Palmer led the Cougars with 16 points off the bench, including a pair of 3-pointers.
"This game, when it came down to it, they outrebounded us by five, and we had three more turnovers than we needed to," Houston head coach Ronald Hughey said. "You've got to be able to take care of the most basic parts of the fundamentals of the game of basketball. Those are things you have to be able to take care of to win games. So, we'll get back to our fundamentals and get ready for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi."
After dominating the glass in their last two games, Houston lost the rebounding battle to UNLV, 46-38. The Lady Rebels turned their 21 offensive boards into 20 second chance points, while Houston finished with 11 second chance points on 13 offensive rebounds.
 | THE BASICS |
Score: UNLV 63, Houston 60
Records: Houston 3-6, UNLV 6-2
Date: Saturday, December 12, 2015
Location: Houston, Texas (Hofheinz Pavilion)
| TURNING POINT |
The Cougars took the lead in the first quarter and were ahead for 26:46 before UNLV's Amie Callaway drained a 3-pointer with 7:25 left in the fourth, giving the Lady Rebels a 51-49 lead. Houston would never lead again, and when Nikki Wheatley's layup with 46 seconds left broke a 58-all tie, the Lady Rebels had an advantage they would not relinquish.
| TOP PERFORMERS |
Houston: Palmer finished 5-for-13 shooting and led the Cougars with 16 points. It was the second time this season she has paced the team in scoring. Kierra Graves added 10 points while Marche' Amerson and Tyler Gilbert led the squad with six rebounds each.
UNLV: Brooke Johnson and Dakota Gonzalez each scored 17 points, while Nikki Wheatley finished with 16 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
| INSIDE THE BOX SCORE |
- Houston shot 35.2 percent (19-for-54) from the field, 26.1 percent (6-for-23) from 3-point range and 84.2 percent (16-for-19) from the free throw line.
- UNLV finished with a 35.4 percent clip (23-for-65) from the field, 46.2 percent (6-for-13) from 3-point territory and 52.4 percent (11-for-21) from the line.
- The Cougars dominated the bench points category; Houston reserves accounted for 36 points, while UNLV bench players scored 0.
- Houston blocked six shots as a team, with Gilbert accounting for three rejections and Sharayla Brown tallying two.
- Palmer and Alecia Smith each grabbed two steals.
- The game featured five ties, including three in the fourth quarter alone, and four lead changes.
- The Cougars led after one quarter, 21-14, but UNLV took the last three periods, 16-13, 16-15, and 17-11.
- Houston stretched the advantage to 26-14 early in the second quarter and led, 34-30, at halftime. Palmer paced the Coogs with 12 points at the break.
| NEWS & NOTES |
- Graves has scored in double-figures in two straight games, including her 12-point effort Dec. 7 at Incarnate Word.
- After going without a block in Houston's last two games, Gilbert registered her first swat at the 7:29 mark of the first quarter. It was the 95th of her career, matching her with Kiemona Harris for seventh in Cougar history.
- Gilbert equaled ShaRonda Lasseter for sixth in the Houston records with her third block of the game, at the 7:21 mark of the third quarter. It was her 97th rejection as a Cougar.
- Amerson has now played 3,078 career minutes, moving her to seventh in Houston history.
- Senior Bianca Winslow returned to the lineup after missing the last seven games with an injury. Winslow played 16 minutes and led the team with four assists.
- Sophomore Mariah Mitchell set a career high with three assists.
- UNLV is now 5-1 all-time against the Cougars.
- Saturday's win was the first for UNLV over Houston since 1990.
| UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS |
Houston heads back on the road Thursday, Dec. 17 to face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Game time is set for 7 p.m. CT in a rematch of one of last season's most exciting Houston victories. The Coogs overcame a rowdy road environment to earn a 68-66 victory behind 20 points from Palmer.
The Coogs return to Hofheinz Pavilion Dec. 20 to host UTRGV in the team's non-conference finale. Tickets are available at UHCougars.com/tickets as Houston aims for their fourth victory in as many tries against the school formerly known as UT-Pan American.
| $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 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--
