University of Houston
1-2
Long Beach State
3-0
Comeback Falls Shy For Cougars in California
11/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Long Beach, Calif. â€" Freshman point guard Angela Harris knocked down four 3-pointers en route to a game-high 14 points, but the Houston Women's Basketball team's comeback bid came up just short, falling to Long Beach State 65-55 inside Walter Pyramid on Friday.
"We have to shoot the ball better," Head Coach Ronald Hughey said. "We have to shoot the ball better, and we have to play for 40 minutes. I thought we only played for 30 minutes tonight. The effort was there late in the ballgame."
Houston came out sluggish in the first quarter shooting just 2-14 from the field and 0-4 from beyond the arc. The Cougars were solid from the line however, going 4-of-5 in the first frame to keep them in the ballgame at 17-8 heading to the second.
The Beach was able to extend their lead to 35-19 when the teams went to the locker room at halftime, but the Cougars came out firing in the third quarter. Houston shot 42.9 percent from the field in the third quarter, led by five points apiece by Mariah Mitchell and Brianne Coffman to cut the lead to 12 at 47-35 heading to the fourth quarter.
THE BASICS
Score: Long Beach State 65, Houston 55
Date: Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
Location: Long Beach, Calif. (Walter Pyramid)
TURNING POINT
Harris was able to heat up in the second half, going 3-of-4 from deep, and the Cougars eventually drew within seven points with 2:22 remaining. However, Houston wasn't able to cut the lead any closer, and Long Beach State closed out the game on a 5-2 run.
TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: Harris led all scorers on the offensive end with 14 points, while Mitchell and Coffman each added eight. Coffman set career-bests in points and rebounds after leading the team with eight boards, including three on the offensive end.
Long Beach State: The Beach was led offensively by a trio players in double figures including Gigi Hascheff's team-high 11. Madison Montgomery and Cece Wilson each finished tied with 10. On the glass, Long Beach State's Jewelyn Sawyer led the way with eight boards.
NEWS AND NOTES
- Houston's depth continued to be a factor on the young season. For the third consecutive game, the Cougar reserves outscored their opponents, this time taking the edge 35-29.
- The Cougars forced the Beach to commit 24 turnovers in the game, leading to 27 points-off-turnovers for Houston.
- Freshmen Quatera Limbrick and Dorian Branch each made their collegiate debuts on Friday, with Branch scoring a bucket and picking up an assist.
- Serithia Hawkins matched a career-high when she came away with five steals in the contest. Hawkins previously accomplished the feat against UTRGV on December 20, 2015.
- Junior guard Chyanne Butler finished the contest with five assists. Butler entered the game sixth in the American Conference with 4.5 assists per game.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
The Cougars return home for a pair of games over the Thanksgiving Holiday. Houston hosts in-state rival Texas State on Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m., before welcoming Mercer to town on Friday, Nov. 25 with tipoff set for 7 p.m.
PURCHASE A SHASTA PASS
The Houston Athletics Ticket Office is proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2016-17 athletic season. For just $80, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Women's Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Softball home games. Fans can order a Shasta Pass by clicking .
FLOOR SEATS SEASON TICKET PACKAGE
The Houston Athletics Ticket Office also offers a Floor Seats season ticket package. For just $250, fans will have courtside access to all 14 Houston home games in 2016-17. Fans can purchase a season ticket package for Floor Seats by clicking HERE.
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Single-game tickets for all 14 games inside Hofheinz Pavilion are on sale now via the Houston Athletics Ticket Office. Prices begin at just $5 for general admission seats and range up to $20 for floor seats. General admission group tickets are offered to parties of 10+ for $3 each. Single-game tickets can be purchased 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.
