University of Houston
4-10,1-0AAC
SMU
9-4,0-1AAC
Cougars Breeze Past Mustangs in American Opener
12/30/2022 11:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Graduate forward Tatyana Hill hits 1,000 career point milestone against Mustangs
HOUSTON – Graduate forward Tatyana Hill's 1,000 career point milestone highlighted the night as the University of Houston women's basketball team opened its American Athletic Conference schedule with a 60-44 victory over SMU on Friday at Fertitta Center.
The Cougars (4-10, 1-0 American) earned their first victory in American play with relentless defense on the court after creating a sizable lead prior to halftime. The Mustangs (9-4, 0-1 American) fought to come back but Houston's stellar overall play was too much for SMU to handle as it delivered a dominant performance to open its conference slate.
Hill's 1,000-point milestone came after nine points on the night paired with a season-high five blocks and a tie for her season-high six steals. Junior guard Laila Blair led the Cougars with 18 points, riding on a streak of 13 games while scoring 10 or more points. Houston has now won eight of the last nine games against SMU, extending its winning streak to three games against the Mustangs.
In the first quarter, the Cougars jumped off to a strong start after sparking a 6-0 run to open the game. Houston continued to dominate at both ends of the court as it ended the first quarter with a 13-6 lead.
The Cougars carried their momentum into the second quarter as they established a 20-12 lead. A powerful defensive presence propelled consistent trips down the court as Houston took its first double-digit lead in the second quarter. Holding on tight to its lead, the Cougars went to the locker room with a 31-21 lead.
Blair led the Cougars with 12 points in the first half while Hill posted seven rebounds.
Houston continued to press full court and establish its game in the third quarter. Late in the period, the Cougars happed on a 13-0 run while holding the Mustangs scoreless for 4:45 before Houston took a 50-29 lead at the end of the third quarter.
SMU pushed late in the fourth quarter to cut into the sizable deficit but Houston strengthened its grip on the game to hold on and take the victory and build on its conference schedule.
UP NEXT
Houston heads on the road to face Tulane on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT. The game against the Green Wave will air on ESPN+.
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