Cougars Head East for Louisiana Matchup
12/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
LAFAYETTE, La. â€" The Houston Cougar Women's Basketball team opens up a three-game swing away from Hofheinz Pavilion when it travels to Lafayette, La., to meet the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns inside the Cajundome on Wednesday. Tipoff against Louisiana is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Fans can watch Wednesday's game live via RaginCajuns.com and can access the video link by clicking HERE. Live statistics are also available through StatBroadcast, and the official Twitter account of Houston Women's Basketball, @UHCougarWBB, will offer updates throughout the game. LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS | TWITTER
THE STARTING FIVE
Here are five names, numbers, news items and storylines that you need to know about the Louisiana game.
Another Thriller - The 2015-16 edition of Houston and Louisiana went down to the wire, when the Coogs outlasted the Cajuns 52-51 inside Hofheinz Pavilion.
Series Domination - Houston has controlled the series between the two teams since it began in 1986, winning eight of the nine previous contests.
Freshman Phenoms - For the third consecutive week a Houston player was named American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Week after Jasmyne Harris claimed the award for the second straight week on Monday.
So Much Depth - Houston's bench has played a key role in the scoring this season. The Cougars have won the bench points battle in eight of their nine contests.
Unfamiliar Territory - The Cougars make their first trip to Lafayette, La., since a 74-70 loss on Nov. 23, 1999. The two squads have met four previous times in Texas' neighboring state.
SERIES vs. LOUISIANA
Wednesday's meeting is the 10th all-time in the series between the two squads.
The previous contest on Nov. 22, 2015 came down to the wire, with the Cougars claiming a 52-51 victory in the final seconds.
The Ragin' Cajuns' only win in the series came the last time the teams locked up in Louisiana, a 74-70 victory for UL on Nov. 23, 1999.
SCOUTING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Louisiana enters Wednesday's contest with a 4-2 overall record, and a 2-0 mark inside the Cajundome. The Ragin' Cajuns had just one matchup last week, an 87-57 win over Southern-New Orleans.
Louisiana is led offensively by a trio of players including Jaylin Gordon who contributes 19.7 points per contest. In six games this season, Simone Fields has scored 15.5 points per game, while Jasmine Thomas has added 10.7.
On the glass, Fields paces the Cajuns with 8.5 rebounds per game, while pulling down 4.6 per contest on the offensive end alone.
Entering play on Wednesday, the Ragin' Cajuns are averaging 70.0 points per game, while allowing opponents to score 70.3. On the glass, Louisiana gets outrebounded by 6.3 boards per game at 44.0-37.7. The Cajuns shoot 39.1 percent from the field while allowing opponents to shoot 27.8 percent.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Following Wednesday's contest, Houston travels to San Antonio, Texas, for the Rae & Craig Blair Memorial Tournament, where they will face the host school UTSA on Dec. 19 and Central Arkansas on Dec. 20.
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.
FERTITTA PLEDGES $20 MILLION TO ATHLETICS
Tilman J. Fertitta, globally recognized entrepreneur and Chairman of the University of Houston System Board of Regents, presented a historic $20 million gift to the University of Houston to transform the UH basketball arena into a state of the art collegiate sports facility and rename the arena Fertitta Center. Fertitta's gift is the largest individual donation to UH Athletics.
The Fertitta gift is a significant step forward in the $60 million University of Houston Basketball capital renewal project for the center's design and renovation. Design work is currently underway. Renovations and construction are scheduled to follow the 2016-17 season, with completion expected during the 2018-19 season. Plans for the Cougars' home facility during the 2017-18 season have not been finalized.
The facility will feature a premium club area and a courtside club. The reconfigured bowl will move mid-court seating locations closer to game action with floor-level seating opposite the team benches for UH students. Renovations include a new audio system, sports lighting and video boards as well as new concession stands and expanded restrooms. The facility's exterior also will be refreshed.
Prominent to the center's exterior, the renovation will preserve the legacy of the Hofheinz family and its contributions to both UH and the city of Houston. UH will transform an area adjacent to the new facility into Hofheinz Plaza, where fans will be greeted by a bronze statue of former Harris County Judge Roy Hofheinz. The University of Houston will request that city officials rename a portion of Holman Street in front of the arena after the Hofheinz family. In addition, Roy Hofheinz's records will be permanently archived and publicly accessible as a special collection in the UH library and the Alumni Center will house an area describing the lives and public service of Roy and Irene Hofheinz.
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.
