Houston Downs Tulane in Overtime

Wednesday, February 20

Houston, Texas

12 p.m.

University of Houston

Tulane

OT 1

Tulane

Houston

Photo by: Wilf Thorne/Wilf Thorne Photography

2/20/2019 4:22:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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Cougars earn fifth straight home victory

HOUSTON –In its sixth overtime contest of the season and second in its last five outings, the Cougars defeated Tulane 83-82 Wednesday afternoon at the Fertitta Center.

In front a crowd of over 700 school children, Octavia Barnes drowned a career-high 24 points, including six three-pointers. Angela Davis had a hand in a large portion of the Houston scoring, recording a career-high 11 assists and sinking the shot that would send the contest to overtime. Serithia Hawkins came up big down the stretch for the Cougars, pulling down nine rebounds.

Houston got off to a fast start, taking an early 10-2 lead behind made baskets from Dorian Branch, Hawkins and Barnes. A 10-0 run from Tulane to close out the quarter would give the Green Wave a slight edge heading into the second quarter with a 14-10 lead.

Branch would take the reins of the Cougar offense in the second quarter, pouring in 14 of her 20 points in the frame. The junior would post a perfect shooting percentage from three-point range, going 4-of-4 from the field, giving Houston a one-point lead at the break.

Both teams would manage to stay within striking distance for most of the third quarter. Barnes would separate herself from the pack, sinking all four of her three-point shot attempts, including one at the buzzer. Dymond Gladney would draw several Tulane defenders to the middle before finding Barnes in the corner for three to cap off a 7-0 run from Houston and give the Cougars a nine-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Tulane would continue to pressure the Houston offense, forcing eight turnovers in the fourth quarter and outscoring the Cougars 22-13 in the frame. With time dwindling down, Angela Harris would hit her first basket of the day with 0.5 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the contest 72-72 and send it into overtime.

The Cougars once again got out to a lightning fast start, building a four-point lead with 1:30 left on the clock. Hawkins would dominate the paint down the stretch, taking a Tulane defender one-on-one and completing a traditional three-point play to give Houston four-point lead with 13 seconds remaining. A made three-point basket from Tulane's Erin Gutierrez would cut the deficit to one, but Houston would come out the victor and pick up its fifth straight home win in an 83-82 decision.

THE BASICS
Score: Houston 83, Tulane 82
Date: Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Location: Houston, Texas | Fertitta Center

TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: The Cougars saw four players reach double figures in scoring, including a career-high 24 from Barnes. Branch added 20 points, followed by Hawkins and Okoene with 11 points each. Hawkins led the team in rebounds with nine and Harris led the team with a career-high 11 assists. Barnes has now hit at least one three-pointer in the last 16 games. Barnes' six made three-pointers is a career-high.

TULANE: Tulane finished the game with two players in double figures led by Krystal Freeman with a game-high 27 points, following by Kaila Anderson with 14 points. Heide led the Green Wave with 10 rebounds and Gutierrez finished with seven assists.

NEWS AND NOTES

Houston moves to 14-11 on the season and 8-4 in conference play.
The Cougars shot 42.4 percent from the field, compared to 54.5 percent from Tulane. The Cougars forced 17 turnovers for its 23rd game this season forcing at least 15 turnovers.
The Cougars have now won three of the last four against Tulane.
Houston has won its last five contests at the Fertitta Center.

UP NEXT FOR HOUSTON
Houston will be heading to Memphis for a Feb. 24 meeting with the Tigers, before returning home to face USF on Feb. 27.

SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Single tickets for the 2018-19 season are on sale now and start at just $5 for General Admission seating and feature options for reserved and floor 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 three 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.

--UHCougars.com--