University of Houston
2-4
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
4-3
Cougars Roll Past UTRGV 68-52
11/30/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
EDINBURG, Texas â€" The Houston Cougar women's basketball team picked up its first road win of the 2016-17 season with a 68-52 victory over UTRGV Wednesday night in Edinburg, Texas. Freshman guard Angela Harris led the Cougars with 18 points in her fourth double-digit scoring effort of the season.
"The thing that we talked about was enjoying the process, grinding through the process and loving the process," Head Coach Ronald Hughey said. "When you start to lose it can pile up a little bit, but our kids hung tough, they fought, and they had faith."
Both teams struggled to find their rhythm in the first quarter, a frame which saw just 21 combined points between the squads. Junior guard Chyanne Butler led the Cougars with four points throughout the first 10 minutes, but the Cougars trailed 13-8 heading to the second.
Houston found their stroke in the second quarter, but it was the defense that clamped down in the period. The Cougars forced the Vaqueros to commit five turnovers in the quarter, and outrebounded UTRGV 11-5. On the offensive end, it was a pair of freshmen who caught fire in the period, with Dorian Branch scoring all of her career-high 10 points and Harris adding eight.
THE BASICS
Score: Houston 68, UTRGV 52
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016
Location: Edinburg, Texas (UTRGV Fieldhouse)
TURNING POINT
Houston found a different gear after the first period, and outscored the Vaqueros 60-39 in the final 30 minutes of the contest. With 5:53 remaining in the third quarter, UTRGV cut the lead to three at 40-37, but they would never pull any closer. Houston used an 11-2 run over the next four minutes, led by four points from senior Kierra Graves to put the game out of reach.
"We committed," Hughey said. "We put three words up in the locker room. Commit, care and compete. We wanted to commit to each other, care for each other and then compete for each other. We just talked about those word and having the opportunity to come out here and compete in that way."
TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: The Cougars had four players with double figures in the game. Including Harris' 18, Branch, Graves and Butler also added 10 apiece. Sophomore Serithia Hawkins led the Cougars on the glass with her third-straight double-digit rebounding game after pulling down 12. Eight of the 12 Cougars who appeared in the game pulled down at least three rebounds.
UTRGV: The Vaqueros had just one player reach double-figures in the contest as Mary Savoy finished the contest with 10 points. Hild Kjartansdottir was a force on the glass for UTRGV pulling down 12 rebounds to tie for the game high.
NEWS AND NOTES
- Graves was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line in the contest, while the Cougars were 13-of-15 as a team.
- Houston outrebounded UTRGV 48-35, while winning the offensive rebound battle 17-12. The offensive boards led to 10 second-chance points for the Cougars.
- For the fifth time this season, the Cougars won on bench points, this time with a decided advantage at 40-22.
- While her 10 points was a season-high, Graves also pulled down a career-best five rebounds.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Houston returns home for a rematch with College of Charleston on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m., inside Hofheinz Pavilion. The Cougars will look to avenge a 55-48 loss from last season in Hughey's hometown of Charleston.
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.
