Saturday, February 16
Houston, Texas
12 p.m.
University of Houston
63
vs
52
ECU
Houston Defeats ECU for Fourth Straight Win at Home
2/16/2019 3:08:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Serithia Hawkins becomes second Cougar in program history with 1,000 points and 900 rebounds
HOUSTON – Behind a career-high 21-point effort from Dorian Branch, the Houston Cougar Women's Basketball team extended its home winning streak to four with a 63-52 win over ECU Saturday afternoon at the Fertitta Center.
Two Cougars finished the game in double-figures with Branch posting her third double-digit scoring effort in the last five games, draining three three-pointers to lead all scorers with 21 points. Serithia Hawkins closed the game with 13 points, and eight rebounds, picking up her 900th career rebound and becoming the second Cougar in program history to reach 1000 points and 900 rebounds.
Houston dominated the game from start to finish, scoring on the opening possession following a jump ball that landed in the hands of Hawkins who drove it in for her first basket of the day. Early three-point baskets from Octavia Barnes and Branch gave the Cougars an early 10-4 lead with under four minutes remaining the quarter. ECU would close out the opening frame with 4-8 run to end the quarter trailing by four.
Houston continued to hold the upper hand offensively in the second quarter, opening the frame with an 8-5 run that was highlighted by a pair of baskets from Julia Blackshell-Fair. Houston would take its biggest lead at the four minute mark, leading by 13 points. The Cougars would make it count in the paint, outscoring ECU 10-6 down low in the second frame, ultimately taking a 30-25 lead at the half.
The Pirates would manage to cut the lead in the third quarter, outscoring Houston 19-15. Although the shots weren't falling for the Cougars, Houston would force eight ECU turnovers and capitalized on second chance points, holding a 6-4 edge in the category at the end of the frame. Alyssa Okoene gave ECU trouble in the paint, scoring all four of her points in the third quarter and grabbing three rebounds. Houston would head into the fourth quarter leading ECU 45-44.
With time dwindling down, Hawkins would take the reigns of the Houston offense pouring in nine of Houston's 18 fourth-quarter points and adding three rebounds in the final 10 minutes of regulation. Hawkins was unstoppable in the paint, earning two trips to the free throw line where she hit three of four shots. The senior would grab her 900th career-rebound with four minutes remaining in the contest. Houston would hold the ECU offense to eight points in the fourth quarter and close out the game with a 63-52 victory.
THE BASICS
Score: Houston 63, ECU 52
Date: Saturday, February 16, 2019
Location: Houston, Texas | Fertitta Center
TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: The Cougars saw two players reach double figures in scoring, including a game-high 21 from Branch. Hawkins added 12 points and led the team in rebounds with eight along with Barnes. Harris led four assists. Barnes has now hit at least one three-pointer in the last 15 games.
ECU: ECU finished the game with two players in double figures led by Raven Johnson with 16 points, following by Salita Greene with 13 points. Greene led the Pirates with six rebounds and three Pirates finished with three assists each.
NEWS AND NOTES
Houston will return home to the Fertitta Center for a mid-day meeting with Tulane on Feb. 20, before heading to Memphis Feb. 24.
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 13 home games throughout the 2018-19 season.
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.
--UHCougars.com--
Two Cougars finished the game in double-figures with Branch posting her third double-digit scoring effort in the last five games, draining three three-pointers to lead all scorers with 21 points. Serithia Hawkins closed the game with 13 points, and eight rebounds, picking up her 900th career rebound and becoming the second Cougar in program history to reach 1000 points and 900 rebounds.
Houston dominated the game from start to finish, scoring on the opening possession following a jump ball that landed in the hands of Hawkins who drove it in for her first basket of the day. Early three-point baskets from Octavia Barnes and Branch gave the Cougars an early 10-4 lead with under four minutes remaining the quarter. ECU would close out the opening frame with 4-8 run to end the quarter trailing by four.
Houston continued to hold the upper hand offensively in the second quarter, opening the frame with an 8-5 run that was highlighted by a pair of baskets from Julia Blackshell-Fair. Houston would take its biggest lead at the four minute mark, leading by 13 points. The Cougars would make it count in the paint, outscoring ECU 10-6 down low in the second frame, ultimately taking a 30-25 lead at the half.
The Pirates would manage to cut the lead in the third quarter, outscoring Houston 19-15. Although the shots weren't falling for the Cougars, Houston would force eight ECU turnovers and capitalized on second chance points, holding a 6-4 edge in the category at the end of the frame. Alyssa Okoene gave ECU trouble in the paint, scoring all four of her points in the third quarter and grabbing three rebounds. Houston would head into the fourth quarter leading ECU 45-44.
With time dwindling down, Hawkins would take the reigns of the Houston offense pouring in nine of Houston's 18 fourth-quarter points and adding three rebounds in the final 10 minutes of regulation. Hawkins was unstoppable in the paint, earning two trips to the free throw line where she hit three of four shots. The senior would grab her 900th career-rebound with four minutes remaining in the contest. Houston would hold the ECU offense to eight points in the fourth quarter and close out the game with a 63-52 victory.
THE BASICS
Score: Houston 63, ECU 52
Date: Saturday, February 16, 2019
Location: Houston, Texas | Fertitta Center
TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: The Cougars saw two players reach double figures in scoring, including a game-high 21 from Branch. Hawkins added 12 points and led the team in rebounds with eight along with Barnes. Harris led four assists. Barnes has now hit at least one three-pointer in the last 15 games.
ECU: ECU finished the game with two players in double figures led by Raven Johnson with 16 points, following by Salita Greene with 13 points. Greene led the Pirates with six rebounds and three Pirates finished with three assists each.
NEWS AND NOTES
- Houston moves to 13-11 on the season and 7-4 in conference play.
- The Cougars shot 43.9 percent from the field, compared to 36.8 percent from USF. The Cougars force 17 turnover for its 22nd game this season forcing at least 15 turnovers.
- The Cougars have now won the last two against ECU and lead the all-time series 13-8
- Houston has won its last four contest at the Fertitta Center.
Houston will return home to the Fertitta Center for a mid-day meeting with Tulane on Feb. 20, before heading to Memphis Feb. 24.
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 13 home games throughout the 2018-19 season.
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.
--UHCougars.com--
Players Mentioned
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