Saturday, February 4
Houston, Texas
1 p.m.
University of Houston
9-13,6-3AAC
65
vs
60
Temple
10-12,5-5AAC
1
2
3
4
F
Temple
17
12
11
20
60
Houston
11
15
19
20
65
Photo by: Joe Buvid
Cougars Battle Back, Ground Owls
2/4/2023 3:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Trio lead dominant second half for Cougars third-straight win
HOUSTON – A dominant second half performance helped the University of Houston women's basketball team erase a 14-point deficit on its way to a 65-60 victory over Temple on Saturday at Fertitta Center.
The Cougars (9-13, 6-3 The American) sparked a comeback late in the first half and carried it over into the third quarter, outscoring Temple (10-12, 5-5 The American) in the last three quarters of play. Houston has now won seven of its last eight meetings against Temple as the Cougars extend its season winning streak to three games for the second time this year.
Blair led the Cougars with a season-high 25 points paired with five rebounds. Graduate forward Tatyana Hill was a force on the glass as she matched a season-high 15 rebounds paired with 10 points as she posted her fifth double-double of the season. Senior guard Britney Onyeje hit double digits with 11 points and five rebounds.
A back-and-forth start quickly leaned Temple's way early as the Owls' led 10-4 late in the period. Houston found its rhythm offensively, finding the right spots and getting to the rim but the Cougars still trailed 17-11 at the end of the first quarter.
Down 14 points midway through the second quarter, the Cougars strung several short runs together highlighted by an 8-0 to cut the deficit to 27-21. Houston closed out the quarter on a 13-2 run to trail 29-26 entering the break.
Blair led the way with 11 points at halftime as she knocked down two 3-pointers late to tighten the gap. Senior forward Bria Patterson followed with six points while Hill tallied nine rebounds in the first half.
Houston played its best quarter of the game in the third quarter led by Blair, Hill and Onyeje who combined for 13 of the Cougars 19 points in the period. Trailing most of the first half, the Cougars sparked a 14-4 run to regain the lead 42-36 before holding on to a 45-40 lead heading into the fourth.
The fourth quarter was a battle on both ends, as the Cougars traded buckets before Onyeje completed a four-point play to create some distance at 57-52.
The gap remained narrow into the final minute before the Owls cut the deficit down to 61-60 with nine seconds to go. Houston held on defensively and closed the game out with two trips to the charity stripe to complete the comeback as time expired.
UP NEXT
The Cougars will take a week off before returning to the Sunshine state to face conference leaders South Florida on Sunday, Feb. 12 with tip-off set for 1 p.m. CT.
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.
The Cougars (9-13, 6-3 The American) sparked a comeback late in the first half and carried it over into the third quarter, outscoring Temple (10-12, 5-5 The American) in the last three quarters of play. Houston has now won seven of its last eight meetings against Temple as the Cougars extend its season winning streak to three games for the second time this year.
Blair led the Cougars with a season-high 25 points paired with five rebounds. Graduate forward Tatyana Hill was a force on the glass as she matched a season-high 15 rebounds paired with 10 points as she posted her fifth double-double of the season. Senior guard Britney Onyeje hit double digits with 11 points and five rebounds.
A back-and-forth start quickly leaned Temple's way early as the Owls' led 10-4 late in the period. Houston found its rhythm offensively, finding the right spots and getting to the rim but the Cougars still trailed 17-11 at the end of the first quarter.
Down 14 points midway through the second quarter, the Cougars strung several short runs together highlighted by an 8-0 to cut the deficit to 27-21. Houston closed out the quarter on a 13-2 run to trail 29-26 entering the break.
Blair led the way with 11 points at halftime as she knocked down two 3-pointers late to tighten the gap. Senior forward Bria Patterson followed with six points while Hill tallied nine rebounds in the first half.
Houston played its best quarter of the game in the third quarter led by Blair, Hill and Onyeje who combined for 13 of the Cougars 19 points in the period. Trailing most of the first half, the Cougars sparked a 14-4 run to regain the lead 42-36 before holding on to a 45-40 lead heading into the fourth.
The fourth quarter was a battle on both ends, as the Cougars traded buckets before Onyeje completed a four-point play to create some distance at 57-52.
The gap remained narrow into the final minute before the Owls cut the deficit down to 61-60 with nine seconds to go. Houston held on defensively and closed the game out with two trips to the charity stripe to complete the comeback as time expired.
UP NEXT
The Cougars will take a week off before returning to the Sunshine state to face conference leaders South Florida on Sunday, Feb. 12 with tip-off set for 1 p.m. CT.
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 –
Team Stats
Temple
UH
FG%
.411
.303
3FG%
.222
.348
FT%
.556
.773
RB
43
41
TO
26
19
STL
9
20
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
25
FGM
7
3FGM
5
FTM
6
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
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