University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Host RV Temple in Midweek Matchup
1/16/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON â€" The Houston Cougar Women's Basketball team returns home for a midweek matchup against RV Temple on Wednesday. Tipoff against the Owls is scheduled for 7 p.m., inside Hofheinz Pavilion.
Fans who cannot make it to Hofheinz Pavilion on Wednesday can catch the game via Houston's home for Women's Basketball Radio, UHCougars.com/wbbradio. Live statistics are also available through , and the official Twitter account of Houston Women's Basketball, @UHCougarWBB, will offer updates throughout the game. | TWITTER
THE STARTING FIVE
Here are five names, numbers, news items and storylines that you need to know about Wednesday's game against Temple.
Just This Once â€" Houston and Temple will meet just one time this season after meeting twice in each of the past three seasons.
Looking for the First â€" Houston and Temple have only met six times in school history, all since the two teams joined the American Athletic Conference. Temple has won all six of the previous matchups.
Scoring Machine â€" Freshman guard Jasmyne Harris has been on fire of late. She is averaging 13.2 points per game over her last 11 contests.
So Much Depth â€" Houston's bench has played a key role in the scoring this season. The Cougars have won the bench points battle in 14 of their 17 contests.
Receiving Votes â€" Temple will be Houston's first opponent this season that is receiving votes in the AP Top-25 rankings.
SERIES vs. TEMPLE
Wednesday's game marks just the seventh time the two teams will meet on the hardwood, dating back to 2013-14.
Temple has won all six of the matchups, including a pair of victories last season. On Jan. 2, 2016 the Owls won 75-66 before winning the return match in Philadelphia on Feb. 12, 78-48.
Wednesday will be the only time the two squads meet during the 2016-17 regular season.
SCOUTING THE OWLS
Temple enters play with a 13-3 overall record and a 4-0 mark in American Conference play. The Owls have won nine straight games dating back to a 71-65 loss at Hampton on Dec. 7, and are receiving votes in the AP Top-25 poll.
As a team this season, the Owls are averaging 72.6 points per game while allowing opponents to score just 60.2. Temple shoots 40.0 percent from the field and 31.6 from beyond the 3-point line and allows opponents to shoot 37.8 percent and 27.8 percent respectively.
Individually, Temple has four players who average double figure scoring numbers per game. Feoynda Fitzgerald leads the squad with 19.0 points per game, while Alliya Butts contributes 15.8, Tanaya Atkinson scores 13.3 and Donnaizha Fountain puts in 12.4.
Atkinson leads Temple on the glass with 8.3 rebounds per game, while Fountain contributes 7.9 per contest.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
The Cougars return to action on Saturday, when they host in-state rival SMU inside Hofheinz Pavilion. Tipoff against the Mustangs is scheduled for 2 p.m., with the game airing live on the American Digital Network.
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.
