Wednesday, January 18
Houston, Texas
7 p.m.
University of Houston
56
vs
58
South Florida
Photo by: Joe Buvid
Comeback Falls Short
1/18/2023 10:11:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Two go-ahead shots with less than one second remaining miss in furious comeback
HOUSTON – The University of Houston women's basketball team had three game-tying or go-ahead shots with under three seconds remaining against rv/rv South Florida on Wednesday inside Fertitta Center but ultimately lost 58-56.
Coming down the stretch, Houston (6-12, 3-2 American) made it a one-possession game for the first time since 5:01 in the first quarter when redshirt senior Britney Onyeje was fouled shooting a three-pointer with 28 seconds remaining. The Pflugerville, Texas native knocked down all three shots from the charity stripe to cut the deficit to 56-54.
Junior Laila Blair once again led Houston offensively with 22 points on nine made field goals, scoring 12 of her points in the first half. Blair got scoring assistance from senior Tiara Young's 16 points and Onyeje's 10 points.
Houston started slow or the second-straight game, falling behind 16-8 at the end of the first quarter. Blair led Houston with five points in the period.
The two-point loss marks the second-straight game Houston has played a game decided by fewer than five points and the second time this season the Cougars have played back-to-back games decided by five points or less.
South Florida (17-4, 6-0 American) held Houston in check in the first and third quarters pulling out to their largest lead of 16 points with 3:15 left in the third quarter. The Bulls picked up offensive support from Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu's 22-point, 17-rebound double-double, Elena Tsineke's 13-point, 10-rebound double-double and Sammie Puisis' 14 points.
The Bulls deployed a rotation of seven players with two of the starters playing all 40 minutes of the game. The Cougars used this to their advantage, forcing 23 turnovers, forcing 20 turnovers from the Bulls' starters.
Houston started the second quarter hot with an 8-0 run over a two-minute stretch to force the Bulls to take a timeout at 19-16. A 2:22 defensive stand where Houston did not allow South Florida to record a field goal helped the home team stay within striking distance at 27-23.
The Cougars outscored the Bulls 15-11 in the second quarter and 23-12 in the fourth. Houston's nine turnovers marked a season low.
UP NEXT
Houston heads up I-45 to face SMU on Saturday for the second time this season with a 2 p.m. CT game in Dallas as the Cougars look for the season sweep of the Mustangs.
TICKETS ON SALE
Fans may purchase single-game tickets for all home games by clicking here. To purchase 2022-23 season tickets, click here. Fans may click here anytime or call the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the FAST BREAK CLUB
Fans are invited to join the Fast Break Club to support Houston Women's Basketball. Fast Break Club members provide financial support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond the program's operating budget. For more information about the Fast Break Club, click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarWBB or on the team's Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.
Coming down the stretch, Houston (6-12, 3-2 American) made it a one-possession game for the first time since 5:01 in the first quarter when redshirt senior Britney Onyeje was fouled shooting a three-pointer with 28 seconds remaining. The Pflugerville, Texas native knocked down all three shots from the charity stripe to cut the deficit to 56-54.
Junior Laila Blair once again led Houston offensively with 22 points on nine made field goals, scoring 12 of her points in the first half. Blair got scoring assistance from senior Tiara Young's 16 points and Onyeje's 10 points.
Houston started slow or the second-straight game, falling behind 16-8 at the end of the first quarter. Blair led Houston with five points in the period.
The two-point loss marks the second-straight game Houston has played a game decided by fewer than five points and the second time this season the Cougars have played back-to-back games decided by five points or less.
South Florida (17-4, 6-0 American) held Houston in check in the first and third quarters pulling out to their largest lead of 16 points with 3:15 left in the third quarter. The Bulls picked up offensive support from Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu's 22-point, 17-rebound double-double, Elena Tsineke's 13-point, 10-rebound double-double and Sammie Puisis' 14 points.
The Bulls deployed a rotation of seven players with two of the starters playing all 40 minutes of the game. The Cougars used this to their advantage, forcing 23 turnovers, forcing 20 turnovers from the Bulls' starters.
Houston started the second quarter hot with an 8-0 run over a two-minute stretch to force the Bulls to take a timeout at 19-16. A 2:22 defensive stand where Houston did not allow South Florida to record a field goal helped the home team stay within striking distance at 27-23.
The Cougars outscored the Bulls 15-11 in the second quarter and 23-12 in the fourth. Houston's nine turnovers marked a season low.
UP NEXT
Houston heads up I-45 to face SMU on Saturday for the second time this season with a 2 p.m. CT game in Dallas as the Cougars look for the season sweep of the Mustangs.
TICKETS ON SALE
Fans may purchase single-game tickets for all home games by clicking here. To purchase 2022-23 season tickets, click here. Fans may click here anytime or call the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the FAST BREAK CLUB
Fans are invited to join the Fast Break Club to support Houston Women's Basketball. Fast Break Club members provide financial support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond the program's operating budget. For more information about the Fast Break Club, click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarWBB or on the team's Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballMatthew Mitchell Introductory Press Conference
Tuesday, April 01
Postgame - Colorado (Mar. 5, 2025)
Wednesday, March 05
Postgame - UCF (Mar. 2, 2025)
Sunday, March 02
Postgame - TCU (Feb. 26, 2025)
Wednesday, February 26