University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
5-22, 1-15
UCF
7-21, 4-13
Cougars Come Up Just Shy at UCF
2/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON â€" Sophomore guard Mariah Mitchell scored a career-high 19 points, but the Houston Cougar women's basketball team could not overcome a 10-point third quarter deficit, eventually falling 65-62 to UCF on Tuesday, in Orlando, Fla.
"We came out with a great game plan," Head Coach Ronald Hughey said. "We faltered a little bit when we didn't execute. We didn't attack inside when we needed to. You can't let one player go for 33 points and let them control the game. We had moments where we weren't as aggressive as we needed to be and we settled for some outside shots. But again we showed resiliency being down 10 and coming back to within three, I just hate that we didn't have to opportunity to have it in our hands at the end of the game. I'm still proud of my team. They work hard, and they could have easily laid down, but I'm proud of the fight that they had."
Both teams came out on fire in the first quarter, and traded buckets for the majority of the initial 10 minutes. Alecia Smith hit a pair of big 3-pointers to lead the Cougars with six points in the first quarter, and give Houston an 18-17 lead after the first frame.
However, the Knight's got a huge boost in the first half from Aliyah Gregory who went into the break with a career-high 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting including a 4-of-4 mark from behind the arc. Gregory was a key contributor to UCF's 39-31 lead at the half.
THE BASICS
Score: UCF 65, Houston 62
Records: Houston 5-22 (1-15), UCF 7-21 (4-13)
Date: Saturday, Feb. 23, 2016
Location: Orlando, Fla. (CFE Arena)
TURNING POINT
Houston was able to hold Gregory to just four points in the third quarter and opened the period on an 8-4 run to cut the lead to four midway through the third. However, the Knights would answer with an 8-2 run of their own over the remainder of the third period to take a 49-39 lead into the final period.
In the fourth, Houston got a huge push from Mariah Mitchell who collected nine points in the frame to keep the Cougars in the game. With just 11 seconds left, Jessieka Palmer drilled a 3-pointer to cut the lead to three at 63-60. However, Gregory would make both of the ensuing free-throws to seal the game.
TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: Sophomore guard Mariah Mitchell had a banner night for the Cougars, scoring a career-high 19 points, including four 3-pointers and 5-of-6 shooting from the free throw line. Freshman Serithia Hawkins continued her stellar rookie campaign collecting her fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds while also collecting four steals.
UCF: The Knights got a career-best effort from Aliyah Gregory who scored 33 points, including 24 in the first half to lead all scorers in the game, while also pulling down five rebounds. Joslyn Massey also had double-figures with 10 points, while Nyala Shuler led the Knights with nine rebounds.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Houston's Mariah Mitchell led the Cougars in scoring against the Knights and collected a career-high 19 points.
- Freshman Serithia Hawkins picked up her fourth career double-double in the contest and has now scored in double-figures in four of the last six games.
- The Cougars forced UCF to turn the ball over 18 times in the game, leading to 15 points off turnovers for Houston.
- For the seventh consecutive game, the Cougars won the battle on the offensive glass, outrebounding the Knights on their own missed shots 12-10. Houston scored 11 second chance points of those rebounds.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Houston gets back to action on Saturday, Feb. 27, with a 2 p.m. tipoff against SMU. The matchup will be Houston's final road game of the regular season.
$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.
