Houston to Face Cincinnati on ESPN3

Wednesday, January 23

Cincinnati, Ohio

6 p.m.

University of Houston

Cincinnati

1/22/2019 9:44:00 AM | Women's Basketball

Cougars look to extend three-game winning streak

CINCINNATI – The Houston Cougar Women's Basketball team is in search of its best five-game start since joining the American Athletic Conference, when they meet Cincinnati on Wednesday inside Fifth Third Bank Arena. Tipoff against the Bearcats is schedule for 6 p.m. CT.

Cougar fans can see Wednesday's matchup live on ESPN3 by clicking HERE. Fans can hear the contest against Wichita State via the home for Houston Women's Basketball Radio, UHCougars.com/wbbradio. Live statistics are also available through SideArm Stats and the official Twitter account of Houston Women's Basketball, @UHCougarWBB, will offer updates throughout the game.

THE STARTING FIVE
Here are five names, numbers, news items and storylines you need to know about Wednesday's American Athletic Conference matchup at Cincinnati:

Their New Home – Like the Cougars, the Bearcats also sport a new home for the 2018-19 season. Cincinnati underwent full-scale renovations to Fifth Third Arena during the 2017-18 campaign.

Block Party – Sophomore forward Alyssa Okoene has been a big presence down low for the Cougars. Okoene ranks fifth in the American in blocks per game with 1.07.

From Downtown – The Cougars continue to be a 3-point threat under Hughey. After setting the school record for 3-pointers made in each of the last two seasons, Houston has made 128 triples so far in 2018-19.

Watch Out For Her– Senior Octavia Barnes has been on quite the hot streak since the beginning of American Play. Barnes has scored in double figures in four straight games and is averaging 12.2 points per game over the last five.

HTown Lockdown – Houston continues to play lockdown defense this season. The Cougars have forced at least 15 turnovers in every game and their 22.41 forced per game ranks 12th nationally.

SERIES vs. CINCINNATI
Wednesday's meeting is the 25th all-time between the two teams in a series that dates back to 1997.

The Bearcats hold an 18-6 advantage all-time in the series, including an 8-2 mark, when playing in Cincinnati. Cincinnati won each of the matchups in 2018, including a 61-57 victory in Cincinnati in the most-recent contest on Feb. 26, 2018.

Houston's last win in Cincinnati came with a 48-39 victory on Feb. 8, 2014.

ABOUT THE COUGARS
Houston enters Wednesday's game with a 9-8 overall record and a 3-1 mark in American Athletic Conference play. The Cougars have won five of their last six games including three straight American wins over SMU, Temple and Wichita State.

Houston's Jasmyne Harris paces the team in points per game with 16.2 per contest, while Angela Harris also scores in double figures at 10.5 per night. Harris most recently scored a season-high 23 points in the win over Wichita State.

Houston is averaging 72.8 points per game on 40.8 percent shooting from the field and a 29.4 percent mark from beyond the 3-point line. The Cougars allow 70.9 points per game on defense while letting opponents shoot 42.2 percent and 30.4 percent from the field and beyond the arc, respectively.

Serithia Hawkins leads Houston on the glass, pulling down 7.1 rebounds per game after matching a season-high with 12 against Wichita State. She recently became the sixth Cougar in program history to score 1,000 points and pull down 800 rebounds.

Houston has been one of the most active defensive teams in the country this season. The Cougars rank third in The American in steals (192) and second in steals per game (11.3) and turnovers forced per game (22.41). The Cougars' steal numbers rank 19th and 22nd in the nation, respectively, while the turnovers forced average places them 12th in the NCAA.

SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Cincinnati enters Wednesday's contest with an 11-7 overall record and a 3-2 mark in American Athletic Conference play. The Bearcats enter on a 2-game winning streak after defeating Temple and Tulsa in a pair of American games last week. Cincinnati is 9-1 when playing at home this season.

The Bearcats have a pair of players averaging double figures in scoring this season, including a team-best 13.1 from Ilmar'I Thomas. Antoinette Miller scores 11.2 per game to rank second on the team. Cincinnati outscores opponents on average 65.1-60.8 while shooting 41.7 percent from the field and 28.1 percent from beyond the 3-point line. The Bearcats hold opponents to 39.7 percent from the field, but allow 31.5 percent from deep.

Cincinnati outrebounds its opponents by an average of 2.1 boards per game at 37.5 to 35.4. The Bearcats are led on the glass by Thomas who grabs 7.4 rebounds per night and is just seven defensive boards away from 100 in the season.

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Season tickets for the 2018-19 season are on sale now and start at just $50 for General Admission seating and feature options for reserved seating as well.

Houston has also opened up a 4-game mini plan option beginning at $20 for General Admission seating and ranging to $30 for Priority Seating. With the mini plan, fans can choose four games from any of Houston's nine remaining home games.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit UHCougars.com/tickets or click HERE. Fans can also reach the UH Ticket Office by phone at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647).

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.