University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Ready for American Championships
3/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
UNCASVILLE, Conn. â€" The regular season is in the books and the Houston Cougar Women's Basketball team is heading to the Frontier Communications American Athletic Conference Championship to take on No. 7 Cincinnati on Friday. Tipoff for the contest is set for 5 p.m., with the game airing live on ESPN3.
Fans can catch all of Friday's action live via ESPN3 with Bob Picozzi and Katie Smith on the call. Fans can also hear the game live via Houston's home for Women's Basketball Radio, UHCougars.com/wbbradio. Live statistics are also available through StatBroadcast, and the official Twitter account of Houston Women's Basketball, @UHCougarWBB, will offer updates throughout the game. LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS | TWITTER
THE STARTING FIVE
Here are five names, numbers, news items and storylines that you need to know about Friday's game against Cincinnati.
American Championship â€" Houston will play as the No. 7 seed against No. 10 Cincinnati at the American Championships. The Cougars are 1-3 all-time in the postseason tournament.
All-Time Numbers â€" Houston is 26-35 all-time when appearing in conference tournaments. The Cougars were 15-16 during their Southwest Conference days and 10-16 in Conference USA.
Freshman Sensation â€" Jasmyne Harris has been one of the top freshman in the American Conference this season. Harris leads the league in points per game, field goals made and 3-point field goals made, while ranking among the top-5 freshmen in seven other categories.
Blake's Hot Hand â€" Since moving back into the starting lineup, Jacqueline Blake has been on fire, averaging 15.0 points per contest in the last eight games.
Been There Before â€" Houston has met Cincinnati four previous times on a neutral court. The Bearcats hold the all-time advantage at 3-1, however the Cougars won the most recent contest in 2004.
SERIES vs. CINCINNATI
Friday's game marks the 22nd time the two teams will meet, including a pair of Cincinnati wins this season on Jan. 7 (85-64) and Feb. 11 (71-62).
Cincinnati has won the last six contests in the series and hold a 3-1 advantage over the Cougars in neutral site games.
The last time the two squads met on a neutral court was March 5, 2004 at the Conference USA Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, an 84 67 win for Houston.
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Cincinnati enters the American Championships with a 16-13 record and finished conference play with a 7-9 record to earn the No. 7 seed at the Championships.
As a team, the Bearcats average 63.8 points per game while allowing opponents to score 64.0. Cincinnati shoots 38.5 percent from the field and 32.0 percent from beyond the 3-point line while allowing opponents to shoot 39.7 and 31.0 percent respectively.
Individually, the Bearcats have three players who score in double-figures including Shanice Johnson who leads the team with 15.2 points per game. Ana Owens scores 11.8, while Bianca Quisenberry contributes 10.4. Johnson also leads the Bearcats with 9.6 rebounds per game. Johnson has averaged a double-double in the two contests with Houston this season at 17.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
THE SEASON SO FAR
Houston finished the regular season with an 11-18 record and a 4-12 mark in American Athletic Conference Play. The Cougars earned the No. 10 seed in the American Championship.
Houston has been led offensively by freshman guard Jasmyne Harris who has tallied 11.4 points per contest. Freshman guard Angela Harris ranks second on the team at 9.6 points per game, while Chyanne Butler adds 8.2 per contest.
The Cougars have been impressive on the glass this season, led by Serithia Hawkins who has pulled down 8.0 rebounds per contest. Jasmyne Harris is averaging 5.5 boards per game, while senior Jacqueline Blake pulls down 4.3 per game.
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.
