Late Surge Lifts Cougars to Win Over SMU

Wednesday, February 5

Houston, Texas

7 p.m.

University of Houston

12-11,5-4AAC

SMU

9-12,3-6AAC

SMU

Houston

2/5/2020 10:46:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Multiple Cougars notch career-best in second straight win

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Women's Basketball team protected its home court and extended its home winning streak to three games, knocking off SMU in a 55-53 decision on Wednesday night at the Fertitta Center.

GAME BOOK
BOX SCORE

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Cougars got out to a slow start, as SMU opened the contest by taking an early lead via an 12-2 run. Dymond Gladney would get going from long-range early sinking a three-pointer before the break as the Cougars headed to their huddle trailing, 19-9.

The Houston offense found its rhythm in the second frame, hitting early shots to get within five points at the halfway point of the quarter. KeAjsa Peace had the hot hand, sinking back-to-back jumpers and scoring six points in a two-minute span. Houston was plagued by cold-shooting in the final three minutes of the half, as the squad headed into the locker room down, 33-22.

Bria Patterson was just the spark that the Cougars needed, providing energy on the offensive end by scoring five early points to get the home team within eight at the halfway point of the frame. Houston put pressure on SMU defensively, forcing turnovers down the stretch to get within three-points before a SMU three-pointer at the buzzer would keep Houston at arm's length heading into the fourth quarter.

Facing an eight-point deficit with 10 minutes to play, Dorian Branch set the tone for UH in the fourth quarter by hitting her second three-pointer of the night in the opening minute. With the game on the line, Patterson knocked down back-to-back triples to put Houston within one-point before Tatyana Hill sank a pair of free throws to give UH its first lead of the night. After trailing for more than 36 minutes, free throws and strong defensive play down the stretch gave Houston its second straight victory in a 55-53 decision.

ITEMS OF NOTE
LEADING SCORER: Bria Patterson; 17
LEADING REBOUNDER: Julia Blackshell-Fair; 15
LEADING ASSISTANT: Julia Blackshell-Fair; 8

Bria Patterson scored a career-high 17 points.
Julia Blackshell-Fair snagged a career-high 15 rebounds, becoming the second Cougar this season with 15 rebounds in a single-game
Blackshell-Fair dished out a career-high eight rebounds, her seventh game of the season with five or more assists.
Patterson hit a career-high four three-pointers.
This is the Cougars third time this season trailing a game and coming back to win.
This is Houston third time this season winning back-to-back games.
Houston improves to 12-11 on the season and 5-4 in American play.

SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Prices for single-game tickets for the 2019-20 season start as low as $8 for general admission. Floor seating and general admission club seating are also available for purchase.

New for the 2019-20 season are the Women's Basketball Flex Plans. One Flex Plan includes 10 general admission game vouchers. The vouchers can be redeemed all at once or can be used throughout the season for any combination of Houston Women's Basketball home games, excluding the Dec. 19 game against Southern Miss.

Tickets can be purchased by clicking 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--