Wednesday, December 20
Houston, Texas
1 p.m.
University of Houston
9-2,0-0Big 12
71
vs
63
Rice
6-5,0-0AAC
1
2
3
4
OT 1
F
Rice
19
9
19
16
0
63
Houston
21
15
16
11
8
71
Photo by: Juan DeLeon
Cougars Take Overtime Battle Against Owls
12/20/2023 3:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Houston closes non-conference slate; set to open inaugural Big 12 schedule Dec. 30 against Texas Tech
HOUSTON – Senior guard Laila Blair's 26 points led the University of Houston Women's Basketball program to a 71-63 overtime victory in its non-conference finale over crosstown rival Rice at Fertitta Center on Wednesday afternoon.
Houston (9-2, 0-0 Big 12) held Rice (6-5, 0-0 AAC) scoreless in the overtime period as the Coogs scored eight points to secure the win. Houston's defense forced the Owls into nine missed shots and six turnovers.
The Cougars outrebounded the Owls, 47-40, including seven rebounds from graduate guard N'Yah Boyd. Houston is 6-0 this season when it outrebounds its opponent.
After an early back-and-forth start between both teams, Houston used a 9-0 run that spanned from the end of the first quarter and into the second to gain some separation from Rice.
Free throws kept Rice close as they were 15-of-16 from the charity stripe in the first half.
Rice responded, taking the lead for a moment as sophomore guard Dominique Ennis drained a 3-pointer near the midway point in the fourth quarter.
Late in the fourth period, Blair tied her season high of 26 points. The Houston native has scored in double figures for the ninth time this season.
Houston led 63-59 with a 1:39 remaining in regulation but Rice scored the final four points of the period and tied the game on Ennis' layup with 13 seconds left.
The Cougars had a chance to win in regulation, but Blair fouled out on a drive to the basket with less than a second remaining.
NOTES
· Houston ends its non-conference slate at 8-2.
· Blair led all scorers with 26 points, tying her season high (26, vs Air Force, Nov. 10).
· Blair has scored in double figures in nine of the team's 11 games this season.
· Houston has held its opponents to single-digit points in at least one quarter in seven games this season.
· The Cougars are 7-0 when holding an opponent to single-digit points in a quarter.
· Houston outrebounded Rice 47-40. The Cougars are 6-0 when outrebounding their opponent this season.
UP NEXT
The Cougars begin their inaugural Big 12 Conference schedule when they host Texas Tech on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 1 p.m.
Fans with a ticket to Houston Men's Basketball's Dec. 30 game against Penn can enter the women's basketball game for free by presenting their ticket stub at the ticket office.
TICKETS
Fans may purchase single-game tickets for all home games by clicking here. To purchase 2023-24 season tickets, click here. Fans may click here anytime or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women's Basketball by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise, and by joining the Fast Break Club which provides support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.
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.
Houston (9-2, 0-0 Big 12) held Rice (6-5, 0-0 AAC) scoreless in the overtime period as the Coogs scored eight points to secure the win. Houston's defense forced the Owls into nine missed shots and six turnovers.
The Cougars outrebounded the Owls, 47-40, including seven rebounds from graduate guard N'Yah Boyd. Houston is 6-0 this season when it outrebounds its opponent.
After an early back-and-forth start between both teams, Houston used a 9-0 run that spanned from the end of the first quarter and into the second to gain some separation from Rice.
Free throws kept Rice close as they were 15-of-16 from the charity stripe in the first half.
Rice responded, taking the lead for a moment as sophomore guard Dominique Ennis drained a 3-pointer near the midway point in the fourth quarter.
Late in the fourth period, Blair tied her season high of 26 points. The Houston native has scored in double figures for the ninth time this season.
Houston led 63-59 with a 1:39 remaining in regulation but Rice scored the final four points of the period and tied the game on Ennis' layup with 13 seconds left.
The Cougars had a chance to win in regulation, but Blair fouled out on a drive to the basket with less than a second remaining.
NOTES
· Houston ends its non-conference slate at 8-2.
· Blair led all scorers with 26 points, tying her season high (26, vs Air Force, Nov. 10).
· Blair has scored in double figures in nine of the team's 11 games this season.
· Houston has held its opponents to single-digit points in at least one quarter in seven games this season.
· The Cougars are 7-0 when holding an opponent to single-digit points in a quarter.
· Houston outrebounded Rice 47-40. The Cougars are 6-0 when outrebounding their opponent this season.
UP NEXT
The Cougars begin their inaugural Big 12 Conference schedule when they host Texas Tech on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 1 p.m.
Fans with a ticket to Houston Men's Basketball's Dec. 30 game against Penn can enter the women's basketball game for free by presenting their ticket stub at the ticket office.
TICKETS
Fans may purchase single-game tickets for all home games by clicking here. To purchase 2023-24 season tickets, click here. Fans may click here anytime or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women's Basketball by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise, and by joining the Fast Break Club which provides support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.
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 –
Team Stats
Rice
UH
FG%
.345
.359
3FG%
.214
.280
FT%
.870
.600
RB
40
47
TO
22
20
STL
5
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
26
FGM
9
3FGM
3
FTM
5
Pts
15
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
7
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
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