.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Host SMU on American Digital Network
1/20/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON â€" The Houston Cougar Women's Basketball team welcomes in-state rival SMU to Hofheinz Pavilion for an American Athletic Conference matchup on Saturday. Tipoff against the Mustangs is scheduled for 2 p.m., with the contest being a part of Coaching For Literacy, an effort to raise awareness about illiteracy in America.
Saturday's contest will air live via the American Digital Network with Matt Pedersen and Angela Beck on the call. The live webcast of the game can be found by visiting TheAmerican.org/watch or by clicking HERE. Fans who cannot make it to Hofheinz Pavilion can also 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. | LIVE VIDEO | TWITTER
THE STARTING FIVE
Here are five names, numbers, news items and storylines that you need to know about Saturday's game against SMU.
Coaches For Literacy â€" Houston and SMU will meet in a Coaching For Literacy game to help #FightForLiteracy among elementary aged students in America.
Familiar Foes â€" Saturday's matchup will be the 56th meeting all-time between the two schools dating back to 1981 when each team was in the Southwest Conference.
Scoring Machine â€" Freshman guard Jasmyne Harris has been on fire of late. She is averaging 13.0 points per game over her last 12 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 15 of their 18 contests.
American Digital â€" Saturday's matchup will air live via the American Digital Network with Matt Pedersen and Angela Beck on the call.
SERIES vs. SMU
The in-state rivals have met 55 previous times in school history, dating back to a 77-71 win for the Cougars on Jan. 13, 1981. Houston leads the all-time series 32-23.
The Cougars hold the series advantage while playing inside Hofheinz Pavilion 14-11, but dropped the most recent contest in Houston 50-48 on Jan. 10, 2016.
Houston would get their revenge a month later when it went to Dallas and beat the Mustangs 63-54 on Feb. 27.
SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS
SMU enters play on Saturday with a 10-8 overall record and a 1-4 mark in American Athletic Conference play. The Mustangs have lost four straight games, most recently falling 67-65 at Cincinnati on Tuesday.
As a team this season, the Mustangs are even with opponents in scoring, putting up 60.3 points per game, while allowing opponents to reach the same mark. The team shoots 37.3 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from beyond the 3-point line while allowing opponents to shoot 36.1 and 35.3 percent respectively.
Individually, SMU has two players that average double figures in scoring. Alicia Froling leads the team with 14.9 points per game while averaging a double-double and leading the team with 10.7 rebounds per game, while McKenzie Adams adds 11.7 points per contest.
COACHING FOR LITERACY
The Houston Cougar Women's Basketball team and Head Coach Ronald Hughey partner together for the first time in the nationwide Fight for Literacy.
The Cougars join over 20 NCAA programs taking part in a Coaching for Literacy Awareness Game - an effort to raise awareness about illiteracy in America.
"Our athletic department and team are honored to be a part of this nationwide initiative," Hughey said "We are thrilled to lend our voice in support of the cause and stress the importance of literacy in our community."
Hughey and his staff will promote the Fight for Literacy by wearing Coaching for Literacy's green awareness tie and apparel during the game this weekend.
Coaching for Literacy works with sports teams nationwide to generate awareness about the importance of literacy and its impact on social issues, such as employment, crime, poverty and the economy.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Houston heads back on the road for a pair of American Athletic Conference matchups. On Wednesday, Jan. 25 Houston makes its way to Memphis, Tenn., to battle the Memphis Tigers, before traveling to play No. 1/1 UConn on Saturday, Jan. 28 in Hartford, Conn.
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.
