Saturday, December 5
Houston, Texas
12 p.m.
University of Houston
vs
Auburn
Houston Primed For Meeting With Auburn in Home Opener
12/3/2020 1:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Cougars face Tigers for third time in program history
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Women's basketball team (1-0,0-0 American) is set to host Auburn (3-0, 0-0 SEC) in its home opener on Dec. 5 inside the Fertitta Center.
The game is one of two that take in Fertitta Center on that day, with tip-off slated for noon on ESPN+. Fans can listen to the audio broadcast of the game by clicking HERE.
THE 4-1-1
Houston returns home to the friendly confines of the Fertitta Center for its home opener against Auburn. The Cougars are led in scoring by Britney Onyeje who averaged 17.5 points per game in the first week of play. Julia Blackshell-Fair leads UH on the glass and in assists, pulling down 7.5 rebounds per game and tallying up 10 assists this season.
Houston is averaging 81.5 points per game on 40.0 percent shooting from the field and a 29.1 percent mark from beyond the 3-point line. The Cougars allow 86.5 points on defense while letting opponents shoot 42.4 percent and 22.5 percent from the field and beyond the arc, respectively.
Under Coach Hughey, Houston has been one of the most active defensive teams in the country over the past two seasons. The Cougars enter the game ranked 61st nationally in steals (16) 93rd in turnovers forced (18.00) and 69th in blocked shots (6).
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Auburn is in its ninth season under Head Coach Terri Williams-Flournoy. Auburn is 3-0 this season, after winning its first three games.
Auburn is led in scoring and rebounding by Unique Thompson with 16 points per game and nine rebounds. Kira Lowery leads the Tigers with 8 assists this season. The Tigers average 74.0 points per game on 41.6 percent shooting from the field, including a 33.3 percent mark from the field.
Auburn has outrebounded each of its opponents and grabs 39.0 boards per game.
THE SERIES
Saturday's meeting is the 3rd meeting between the two teams. Auburn leads the series 0-2. This will be the first time the two squads have met since 1993.
STELLAR DEBUTS
Seven players made their Cougars debuts against Oklahoma, helping the Cougars score its most points since 2013. Britney Onyeje introduced herself to Cougar fans in an emphatic fashion, dropping a career-high 23 points, including five made three-pointers. Freshman Laila Blair made her collegiate debut, posting 13 points, including five in the fourth quarter, and grabbed two rebounds. Eryka Sidney played minutes for the UH, knocking down a go-ahead jumper right before halftime. Ca'Leyah Burrell hit two shots from three-point land, as UH made 10 three-pointers in its season opener. Daphane White helped the Cougars in the front court, pulling down five rebounds.
BALL CONTROL
The Cougars recorded 100 possessions against OU, committed just 12 turnovers. The UH guards rank among the best in the nation in assist-turnover ratio at 1.07, which is 64th nationally. The team ranked 53rd nationally and second in the league in turnovers per game with only 13.5.
SCOOP 'N SCORE
Houston forced 21 Oklahoma turnovers, its most since Feb. 18, 2020 when the team forced 23 against Cincinnati. This season UH has earned 16 steals and is 61st Nationally in the category. Houston has capitalized off its defense prowess, scoring 34 points off turnovers.
DEEPER THAN EVER
With is largest roster in recent years, Houston has more than enough options off the bench. The Houston reserves have done their part, accounting for 37 points against Alabama and outscoring the UA reserves 37-15.
Against Oklahoma, the bench scored 32 points to Oklahoma's 14.
SEC TIES
Assistant Coach LaSondra Barrett was the 2009 SEC Freshman of the Year and two-time All-SEC selection.
SAFE AT HOME
Houston posted a 9-5 record inside the Fertitta Center during the 2019-20 season.
UP NEXT
Houston will head to Arlington for a 6 p.m. matchup against UT-Arlington on Dec. 8, before returning home for its final non-conference game against Stephen F. Austin on Dec. 11.
FANS CUTOUTS
As the University of Houston Athletics Department continues to prepare for the 2020 season, fans are invited to submit photos for cutouts to be placed within TDECU Stadium during home games. To purchase a cutout please click HERE.
HOUSTON MOVES TO ONLINE TICKETING
With mobile ticketing, Houston Athletics fans will enjoy various benefits, including reduced wait lines and quicker access into event venues, eliminating printing, delivery, loss or stolen tickets along with more convenient access and options in managing of tickets.
From their digital wallets, fans can scan their mobile devices at the entrance for quick and easy venue access. For more information click HERE.
FOLLOW THE COUGARS!
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--
The game is one of two that take in Fertitta Center on that day, with tip-off slated for noon on ESPN+. Fans can listen to the audio broadcast of the game by clicking HERE.
THE 4-1-1
Houston returns home to the friendly confines of the Fertitta Center for its home opener against Auburn. The Cougars are led in scoring by Britney Onyeje who averaged 17.5 points per game in the first week of play. Julia Blackshell-Fair leads UH on the glass and in assists, pulling down 7.5 rebounds per game and tallying up 10 assists this season.
Houston is averaging 81.5 points per game on 40.0 percent shooting from the field and a 29.1 percent mark from beyond the 3-point line. The Cougars allow 86.5 points on defense while letting opponents shoot 42.4 percent and 22.5 percent from the field and beyond the arc, respectively.
Under Coach Hughey, Houston has been one of the most active defensive teams in the country over the past two seasons. The Cougars enter the game ranked 61st nationally in steals (16) 93rd in turnovers forced (18.00) and 69th in blocked shots (6).
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Auburn is in its ninth season under Head Coach Terri Williams-Flournoy. Auburn is 3-0 this season, after winning its first three games.
Auburn is led in scoring and rebounding by Unique Thompson with 16 points per game and nine rebounds. Kira Lowery leads the Tigers with 8 assists this season. The Tigers average 74.0 points per game on 41.6 percent shooting from the field, including a 33.3 percent mark from the field.
Auburn has outrebounded each of its opponents and grabs 39.0 boards per game.
THE SERIES
Saturday's meeting is the 3rd meeting between the two teams. Auburn leads the series 0-2. This will be the first time the two squads have met since 1993.
STELLAR DEBUTS
Seven players made their Cougars debuts against Oklahoma, helping the Cougars score its most points since 2013. Britney Onyeje introduced herself to Cougar fans in an emphatic fashion, dropping a career-high 23 points, including five made three-pointers. Freshman Laila Blair made her collegiate debut, posting 13 points, including five in the fourth quarter, and grabbed two rebounds. Eryka Sidney played minutes for the UH, knocking down a go-ahead jumper right before halftime. Ca'Leyah Burrell hit two shots from three-point land, as UH made 10 three-pointers in its season opener. Daphane White helped the Cougars in the front court, pulling down five rebounds.
BALL CONTROL
The Cougars recorded 100 possessions against OU, committed just 12 turnovers. The UH guards rank among the best in the nation in assist-turnover ratio at 1.07, which is 64th nationally. The team ranked 53rd nationally and second in the league in turnovers per game with only 13.5.
SCOOP 'N SCORE
Houston forced 21 Oklahoma turnovers, its most since Feb. 18, 2020 when the team forced 23 against Cincinnati. This season UH has earned 16 steals and is 61st Nationally in the category. Houston has capitalized off its defense prowess, scoring 34 points off turnovers.
DEEPER THAN EVER
With is largest roster in recent years, Houston has more than enough options off the bench. The Houston reserves have done their part, accounting for 37 points against Alabama and outscoring the UA reserves 37-15.
Against Oklahoma, the bench scored 32 points to Oklahoma's 14.
SEC TIES
Assistant Coach LaSondra Barrett was the 2009 SEC Freshman of the Year and two-time All-SEC selection.
SAFE AT HOME
Houston posted a 9-5 record inside the Fertitta Center during the 2019-20 season.
UP NEXT
Houston will head to Arlington for a 6 p.m. matchup against UT-Arlington on Dec. 8, before returning home for its final non-conference game against Stephen F. Austin on Dec. 11.
FANS CUTOUTS
As the University of Houston Athletics Department continues to prepare for the 2020 season, fans are invited to submit photos for cutouts to be placed within TDECU Stadium during home games. To purchase a cutout please click HERE.
HOUSTON MOVES TO ONLINE TICKETING
With mobile ticketing, Houston Athletics fans will enjoy various benefits, including reduced wait lines and quicker access into event venues, eliminating printing, delivery, loss or stolen tickets along with more convenient access and options in managing of tickets.
From their digital wallets, fans can scan their mobile devices at the entrance for quick and easy venue access. For more information click HERE.
FOLLOW THE COUGARS!
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--
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