Houston Hosts USF in Mid-Week Contest

Wednesday, February 27

Houston, Texas

7 p.m.

University of Houston

USF

Tickets

Photo by: Wilf Thorne/Wilf Thorne Photography

2/26/2019 1:38:00 PM | Women's Basketball

27 USF Game Notes

Cougars face USF for second time this season

HOUSTON – The Houston Cougar Women's Basketball team will return home for a mid-week matchup with American Athletic Conference foe USF on Wednesday at 7 p.m. inside the Fertitta Center.

Wednesday's contest can be seen on ESPN3 and heard live by fans 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 Saturday's American Athletic Conference game against USF:

SEASON SWEEP – The Cougars look to complete a regular-season sweep over the Bulls for the first time since the 2000-01 season and the first time under Head Coach Ronald Hughey.

MAKE IT TEN – Houston has posted nine wins in The American this season, matching the program best set last season. A win over USF would set a program record for conference wins since joining The American.

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 191 triples so far in 2018-19, which is second on the single-season all-time list in the category.

SCORE OFTEN, SCORE FAST – Houston is a tough team offensively, currently ranking second in the conference in scoring offense with 70.0 points per game, only second to UConn.

H-TOWN LOCKDOWN – Houston continues to play lockdown defense this season. The Cougars have forced at least 15 turnovers in 23 of its 26 games and their 20.38 forced per game ranks 27th nationally.

SERIES vs. USF
Wednesday's meeting is the 20th all-time between the two teams in a series that dates back to 1997.

Houston trails 7-13 in the all-time in the series, winning the most recent meeting between the two on Feb. 10 in a 54-52 decision.

ABOUT THE COUGARS
Houston enters Wednesday's game with a 15-11 overall record and a 9-4 mark in American Athletic Conference play.

Houston's nine conference wins match the programs most wins in conference play since joining The American. The Cougars have posted a 6-5 record at home this season.

Houston's Jasmyne Harris paces the Cougars in points per game with 16.2 per contest, while Dorian Branch also scores in double figures at 10.8 per night. Branch scored a career-high 21 points against ECU and has posted double-figures in five of the last six contests. Octavia Barnes has scored at least one three-pointer in the last 17 games for the Cougars, posting double-figures in three of the last four contests and a career-high 24 points against Tulane.

Houston is averaging 70.0 points per game on 40.8 percent shooting from the field and a 30.8 percent mark from beyond the 3-point line. The Cougars allow 67.8 points per game on defense while letting opponents shoot 41.1 percent and 32.0 percent from the field and beyond the arc, respectively.

Serithia Hawkins leads Houston on the glass, pulling down 7.3 rebounds per game after matching a season-high with back-to-back games of 12 against Wichita State and Cincinnati. She recently became the second Cougar in program history to score 1,000 points and pull down 900 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 (264), and in steals per game (10.2), and second turnovers forced per game (20.38). The Cougars' steal numbers rank 38th and 35th in the nation, respectively, while the turnovers forced average places them 27th in the NCAA.

SCOUTING THE BULLS
USF enters Wednesday's contest with an 15-12 overall record and a 6-7 mark in American Athletic Conference play. USF has won its last three games most recently defeating Wichita State in a 55-46 decision. USF is 4-4 when playing on the road this season.

USF has five players averaging double figures in scoring this season, Kitija Laksa paces USF with 16.3 points per game to lead the team, Laura Ferreira is second on the team with 15.8 points per game. • USF is allowing opponents to score 64.0 points per game, allowing 36.0 percent shooting from the field and 28.9 percent from long-range.

SINGLE-GAME 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--