Johnson Leads Cougars to Second Straight Game with 106 Points

HOUSTON – Junior guard Maliyah Johnson recorded a career-high 24 points and four assists as the University of Houston Women's Basketball program defeated Grambling State, 106-74, on Sunday afternoon in Fertitta Center.

Houston's (3-0) victory against Grambling State (2-3) marked the third time in program history that the Cougars scored 100+ points in back-to-back games since the 1995-96 season when they defeated Ohio State (Dec. 10, 103-95 OT) and Texas Southern (Dec. 16, 104-48).

The Cougars got off to a strong start, with Johnson leading the way, scoring 12 of her 24 points in the first quarter. The team went 11-of-13 from the charity stripe, including a perfect 7-of-7 from Johnson.

Laila Blair, N'Yah Boyd and Kierra Merchant paced the Houston offense in the second quarter with a combined 17 points, as the Cougars led by as many as 25 points to close out the quarter. In the first half, Houston forced 28 points off 22 Grambling State turnovers.

Late in the fourth quarter, two Cougars posted career firsts, as senior forward Kamryn Jones connected on her first three-pointer, and Merchant recorded her first career block.

Houston is now 3-0 for the first time under the direction of Head Coach Ronald Hughey and the first 3-0 start since the 2010-11 season.

NOTES

Sunday's victory marked the third time in program history that the Cougars recorded 100+ points in back-to-back outings, the first since the 1995-96 season.
Houston's 3-0 record is the best start under Head Coach Ronald Hughey.
Houston has accumulated 311 points through three games; the most points scored in the first three games in program history.
Houston scored 43 points on turnovers against Grambling State, the most on the season.
This marks the third consecutive game with at least four Cougars scoring double figures.
Junior forward Maliyah Johnson recorded a career-high 24 points and four assists.
Senior forward Kamryn Jones recorded her first career three-pointer and logged a career-high five steals.
Freshman guard Kierra Merchant recorded her first career block.
Senior guard N'yah Boyd matched her career high in blocks with one against Grambling State (last vs. Western Kentucky, Feb. 4, 2023).

UP NEXT
Houston remains at home for three games as it faces New Orleans at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 26, for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Day, followed by a mid-week tussle against Middle Tennessee at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 29, for Way Back Wednesday: Study Break Night.

The Cougars wrap up their six-game homestand at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3, against Florida A&M for The Shasta Express/Teacher Appreciation Day.

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