Cooke Posts Career High, Women’s Basketball Falls to UTRGV

HOUSTON – Charlotte O'Keefe's 3-pointer with only three seconds remaining was the difference as the University of Houston Women's Basketball program dropped a heartbreaking back-and-forth battle to UTRGV, 70-68, inside Fertitta Center on Tuesday evening.

After being sidelined last season, sophomore guard Gigi Cooke made her Houston debut and recorded a career high 18 points. Cooke nearly tied the game, but time expired before the shot was released.

Sophomore guard Kierra Merchant also recorded 18 points, one off her career high. Redshirt senior guard Leilani Augmon was the third Cougar in double-figures as the San Jose, Calif., native scored 13 points and led the boards with eight rebounds.

After UTRGV (1-0) made the first basket of the game, Houston (0-1) used a 12-0 run led by Merchant, to take a 12-2 advantage. Sophia Zufelt knocked down a pair of triples to get the Vaqueros within four as the Cougars led after the first frame, 22-15.

UTRGV opened the second stanza with four quick points and outscored Houston 21-13 in the quarter to take a narrow, 36-35, lead into the locker room. Kade Hackerott's trey with three seconds remaining in the half, gave the Vaqueros their first lead since the first basket of the game.

It was a back-and-forth third quarter with neither team opening up more than a four-point margin. Merchant tied the game at 46 with a jumper, and the two teams finished the third period knotted at 53.

Houston gained a one-point lead with a Merchant free throw, but five-straight points from Hackerott put the Vaqueros back in front. Cooke scored four points of her own to tie the game at 60.

The back-and-forth affair continued as graduate guard Eylia Love knocked down a pair of free throws with 23 seconds remaining to give the Cougars the one-point edge before O'Keefe knocked down the 3-point dagger.

After already being decimated with injuries, redshirt senior Avalon Miller left the game with an ankle injury with 1:05 remaining in the second quarter.

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– UHCougars.com –

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