University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
6-23 (2-16)
Memphis
18-11 (12-6)
Cougars fall 77-64 in Home Finale
2/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON â€" The Houston Cougar women's basketball team fought hard, but fell 77-64 to the Memphis Tigers on Senior Night inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Monday.
"I thought we would come out and play with a lot of emotion and be able to ride that emotion for a while to be able to compete with a really good Memphis team," head coach Ronald Hughey said. "Instead the emotion from senior night just carried over a little too far and took away from who we are and the game plan we've been following the past couple of games to maintain what we needed to. Once we got down and started to be pressured a little bit, we started to throw the ball away and not take care of it. It's a little disappointing on senior night and I thought we could come away with a win here."
Prior to Monday night's regular season finale, the Houston women's basketball program honored seniors, Bianca Winslow, Marche' Amerson, Tyler Gilbert, Taylor Gilbert, Alecia Smith, and Jessieka Palmer in their final game in front of the home fans at Hofheinz Pavilion.
Houston came out strong on the back of eight first quarter points from Amerson who dazzled the home crowd with 3-of-5 shooting from the field in the first half. However, the Tigers would end the first frame on a 14-8 run including a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Milena Bajic.
THE BASICS
Score: Memphis 77, Houston 64
Records: Houston 6-23 (2-16), Memphis 18-11 (12-6)
Date: Monday, Feb. 29, 2016
Location: Houston, Texas (Hofheinz Pavilion)
TURNING POINT
Houston used a 7-0 run towards the end of the second half to climb back into the game and cut the lead to 30-24 with just 1:33 remaining in the half. The Tigers would answer however, when Ariel Hearn connected on a 3-pointer with just 26 seconds remaining in the first half, and the Cougars were never able to bring the score to within six again.
TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: A trio of Cougars scored in double-digits for Houston including a team-high 14 from freshman Serithia Hawkins who also added a team-best seven rebounds. Amerson went out in style on her senior night with 13 points, four rebounds, a block and three steals, while Sophomore Mariah Mitchell also added 10 points.
Memphis: Asianna Fuqua-Bey was a force for the tigers, collecting game-highs in both points and rebounds with 22 and 11 respectively to complete the double-double. Mooriah Rowser finished with 12 points and six rebounds, while Bajic added 11 and Hearn scored 10 of her own.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Cougars got a big performance from non-starters who outscored the Memphis bench 32-25.
- Hawkins' double-digit performance marked the fifth time in the last six games she has reach the double-figure mark. Sher is averaging 11.0 points per game over that stretch.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Houston turns its sights on the postseason as they prepare for the American Athletic Conference Championships in Uncasville, Conn. As the No. 11 seed, the Cougars drew the No. 6 seed Tulsa in the first round, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m., on Friday, March 4 at the Mohegan Sun Arena. That game will air live on ESPN 3.
$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.
