University of Houston
8-6, 1-0AAC
Cincinnati
10-5, 1-1AAC
Cougars Fall 85-64 at Cincinnati
1/7/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CINCINNATI â€" The Houston Cougar Women's Basketball team dropped an 85-64 decision to Cincinnati in its American Athletic Conference road opener on Saturday. Senior Kierra Graves led the Cougars with a career-high 21 points.
The Cougars raced out to a 6-0 lead to open the contest led by four points from Graves. From there the two teams would trade buckets throughout the remainder of the frame, The Cougars shot 47.4 percent from the field in the opening quarter, and Graves finished the first 10 minutes with 10 points.
Scoring continued in the second quarter, with the Cougars shooting 60.0 percent from the field. Cincinnati grabbed the lead and eventually extended it to six points, but junior Chyanne Butler brought Houston back with 10 points in the quarter, including a layup with 31 seconds remaining to give the Cougars the lead 39-38 at the half. The 39 points for Houston matches the highest in the first half this season, after also meeting the mark against Tulsa on Jan. 1.
The Bearcats used a pair of big runs to take control of the game coming out of the half. Cincinnati opened the third quarter on an 11-0 run to take the lead 49-39 before Houston could find the scoreboard. Midway through the frame, with Houston trailing 56-45, Cincinnati used a 7-0 run to extend the lead to 63-45 and put the contest out of reach.
THE BASICS
Score: Cincinnati 85 (11-5, 2-1), Houston 64 (8-7, 1-1)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio (Fifth Third Arena)
TURNING POINT
The Bearcats used two runs, one 11-0 and the other 7-0 to open and close the third quarter to put the game out of reach. Cincinnati outscored Houston 28-11 in the third period.
TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: Houston was led offensively by Graves' career-best 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Butler add 14 points, while freshman Jasmyne Harris scored all 10 of her points in the second half. Sophomore Serithia Hawkins pulled down eight rebounds to lead the Cougars on the glass.
Cincinnati: The Bearcats had three players score at least 20 points, led by Ana Owens and Bianca Quisenberry who had 22 each. Shanice Johnson scored 21 points while also picking up 12 rebounds for the double-double. Owens also had a double-double after assisting on 12 baskets.
NEWS AND NOTES
- Houston scored 39 points in the first half, matching the second time they have accomplished that feat this season, and this week, after doing so on Sunday against Tulsa.
- Houston was able to exploit the Bearcats down low, winning the points in the paint battle 44-38.
- The Cougars were able to get out and run in the contest, scoring 23 of their 64 points on the fast break.
- Houston won the bench-points battle for the 13th time this season, outscoring Cincinnati with their reserves 23-13.
- Both Harris and junior Brianne Coffman set new career-highs with blocks after swatting three and two shots respectively.
- Junior guard Dionna Collins made her Houston debut for the Cougars after transferring in prior to last season, and battling an injury through the first half of this season.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
The Cougars return home on Wednesday, Jan 11, when they play host to UCF inside Hofheinz Pavilion. Tipoff against the Knights is scheduled for 7:02 p.m., with the game airing 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.
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.
