University of Houston
10-16 (3-10AAC)
Tulsa
8-18 (4-9AAC)
Cougars Win Thriller 65-62 at Tulsa
2/15/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
TULSA, Okla. â€" Senior center Jacqueline Blake scored a career-high 22 points to lead the Houston Cougar Women's Basketball team to a thrilling 65-62 victory over Tulsa on Wednesday. The win for Houston secured the season sweep of the Golden Hurricane after also defeating Tulsa 71-66 on Jan. 1.
Houston opened with a brand-new starting five for the matchup, inserting freshman Dorian Branch into the starting lineup for the first time since December. The move paid off for Head Coach Ronald Hughey in the first quarter after Branch led the Cougars with seven points on a pair of field goals. The Cougars fell behind early in the quarter but used a 13-3 run throughout the middle of the period to build a 20-15 lead at the end of one.
The Cougars committed turnovers on three-straight possessions to open the second quarter, allowing Tulsa to open the frame on a 6-0 run to take the lead at 21-20. However, Houston drilled back-to-back 3-pointers from Mariah Mitchell and Blake to reclaim the lead. The difference in the quarter came down to Tulsa's advantage on the offensive glass, pulling down six offensive rebounds, leading to six second-chance points to take a 36-35 lead into the locker room.
Houston's defense showed up in the third quarter, allowing Tulsa to shoot just 31.3 percent (5-of-16) from the field in the frame. Blake had the hot hand in the frame for the Cougars, scoring eight of her career-high 22 points in the period. The Cougars closed the third quarter on a 16-8 run and took a 53-50 lead into the final 10 minutes.
The Golden Hurricane stormed out on an 8-2 run to open the fourth quarter and grab a 58-55 lead after a Tatyana Perez 3-pointer with 6:33 remaining in regulation. However, Houston's defense would prove to be relentless down the stretch, holding Tulsa scoreless over the next 5:06, while the offense answered with a 7-0 run to reclaim the lead at 62-58. Tulsa cut the lead to two twice over the final 1:27, but the Cougars knocked down three clutch free throws to seal the game at 65-62.
THE BASICS
Score: Houston 65, Tulsa 62
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017
Location: Reynolds Center (Tulsa, Okla.)
TURNING POINT
Blake was the deciding factor down the stretch for Houston, scoring 13 of her 22 points in the final 20 minutes. After falling behind 58-55 midway through the fourth quarter, Houston finished on a 10-4 run to close out the game.
TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: Jacqueline Blake's 22 points was a new career-high for the senior and is her first-career 20-point game. Blake was also one of five Houston rebounders to tie for the team-lead with five boards. Freshman Jasmyne Harris also pulled down five rebounds, while scoring 15 points, and freshman Dorian Branch added a career-high 11 points and five rebounds.
Tulsa: Kendrian Elliot put up monster numbers for the Golden Hurricane, leading Tulsa in both points (18) and rebounds (15) en route to a double-double. Liesl Spoerl just missed a double-double of her own, scoring 10 points and pulling down eight boards.
NEWS AND NOTES
- With 15 points against Tulsa, freshman Jasmyne Harris moved into a tie for eighth on the all-time freshman scoring list with 291 in her young career.
- With her steal in the contest, Angela Harris now has 48 on the season, moving her into a tie for sixth on the Houston freshman steals list.
UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Houston returns to Hofheinz Pavilion for its final homestand before the arena is scheduled to undergo major renovations at the conclusion of the season. The Cougars host USF on Tuesday at 7 p.m., with the game airing live on ESPN3, before meeting East Carolina at 2 p.m., on Saturday, in the team's final game at Hofheinz.
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.
