University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Hit Road for Cincinnati
1/6/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CINCINNATI â€" The Houston Cougar Women's Basketball team heads on the road for the first time during American Athletic Conference play when it travels to Cincinnati to take on the University of Cincinnati, on Saturday. Tipoff inside Fifth Third Arena is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Fans can catch all of the action for Saturday's game live 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 Saturday's game against Cincinnati.
American Play - Houston looks to start 2-0 in conference play for the first time since the 2010-11 season, when the Cougars finished with a perfect 16-0 record in Conference USA play.
Familiar Foes - Houston and Cincinnati have met 19 times in their program's histories, dating back to 1997, when the series began with a 91-65 victory for UC.
Tight Contests - All four of Coach Ronald Hughey's games against Cincinnati in his career have come down to the wire, with each game finishing within six points. Hughey's only two overtime contests have come against the Bearcats.
So Much Depth - Houston's bench has played a key role in the scoring this season. The Cougars have won the bench points battle in 12 of their 14 contests.
On The Glass - Houston has been a force on the glass this season, outrebounding opponents on average of 2.0 boards per game.
SERIES vs. CINCINNATI
Saturday's game marks the 20th time the two teams will meet on the hardwood, dating back to 1997 when the series began. Cincinnati holds a 14-5 all-time advantage.
The Bearcats have won the last four contests in the series, including a pair of six-point wins in the 2015-16 season.
The last time the two teams met, Cincinnati came away with a 67-61 victory inside Hofheinz Pavilion on Feb. 20, 2016. Houston's last win in the series came on Feb. 8, 2014, in a 48-39 win in Cincinnati.
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Cincinnati enters Saturday's contest with a 10-5 overall record and a 1-1 mark in American Conference play after falling to SMU 64-47 in their opener and defeating UCF 63-57 on Wednesday.
As a team, the Bearcats average 64.1 points per game while allowing opponents to score just 58.0. Cincinnati shoots 37.6 percent from the field, including 32.7 percent from beyond the 3-point line, while allowing opponents to shoot 36.4 and 31.7 percent, respectively. On the glass, the Bearcats outrebound their opponents by a slim margin at 38.8 to 38.5.
Individually, the Bearcats are led on offense by junior Shanice Johnson who averages 14.2 points per game, while Ana Owens adds 13.4 per contest. Johnson also dominates the glass for UC, pulling down 9.4 of Cincinnati's 38.8 rebounds per game.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
The Cougars return home to continue American Conference play when they host UCF on Wednesday, Jan. 11. Tipoff for the game against the Knights is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the contest will air live via ESPN3.
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.
