University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
5-19, 1-12AAC
Temple
17-7, 11-2AAC
Cougars Drop Makeup Game at Temple
2/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Philadelphia, Pa. â€" Senior Jessieka Palmer and freshman Serithia Hawkins scored double-figures with 13 and 10 respectively, but the Houston Cougar women's basketball team fell 78-48 against the Temple Owls on Friday, in Philadelphia, Pa.
"We came out with a lack of intensity," Hughey said. "We had a good game plan and we wanted to execute it, but Temple was a little more aggressive than we were from the start. They rebounded the ball over us, around us, they went through us to go get balls. We were just out of it to start and dug a hole. When you go down 20 it's pretty much a wrap. Teams that want to fight and scrap and have that identity can come back from down 20, but when you don't have that enthusiasm and that want, and that resilience that we usually have it's hard."
Houston hung with the Owls early in the game as junior Kierra Graves was able to score four early points to make the score 5-4 Temple midway through the first quarter. However, the Owls would end the first frame on a 21-5 run to close the quarter.
THE BASICS
Score: Temple 78, Houston 48
Records: Houston 5-19 (1-12), Tulsa 17-7 (11-2)
Date: Friday, Feb. 12, 2016
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. (McGonigle Hall)
TURNING POINT
The Cougars were able to hold the Owls to just 10 points in the second quarter after allowing 26 in the first frame. However, Temple also clamped down on their defense and held the Cougars to just six points in the second quarter. The Cougars entered the locker room on a 6-0 run but were never able to get the score within 20.
TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: Senior guard Jessieka Palmer paced the Cougars with 13 points including a 7-of-7 mark from the free throw line. Freshman Serithia Hawkins tallied her 10th double-figure game of the season when she dropped 10 points against the Owls. Hawkins also added eight rebounds including four on the offensive glass.
Temple: Tanaya Atkinson led the Owls in the contest with 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting from the field. Atkinson also added seven rebounds, two assists and three steals. Donnaizha Fountain added 20 points of her own, but asserted herself on the glass to the tune of 15 rebounds to complete the double-double.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Freshman Cenecia Newman made her first start of the season in the contest against the Owls. Newman didn't disappoint after collecting a career-high seven rebounds.
- Jessieka Palmer's 7-of-7 shooting from the free-throw line set a season best free throw percentage for Cougars attempting more than five in a game.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Houston returns to the friendly confines of Hofheinz Pavilion for a pair of games next week. Houston hosts East Carolina at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17 with that game scheduled to air live on the American Digital Network. The Cougars then turn around and welcome Cincinnati to town on Saturday, Feb. 20. Tipoff against the Bearcats is scheduled for 1 p.m.
$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.
