Career Highs and Double-doubles Propel Cougars Past Devilettes

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Women's Basketball program closed out non-conference action with a dominant 98-40 win over Mississippi Valley State inside Fertitta Center on Tuesday afternoon.

All seven available players scored for Houston (4-7), including five in double-figures. Sophomore guard Kierra Merchant had a career afternoon with 30 points, including six 3-pointers.

After missing the previous two games, redshirt sophomore guard Gigi Cooke returned to the court, posting 18 points, and graduate guard Ashley Chevalier matched her career high with 12 points.

Two Cougars posted double-doubles, marking the third-straight game with at least one player accomplishing the feat. Graduate guard Eylia Love posted 14 points and a career-high 17 rebounds and tied her career best with five steals. Redshirt senior guard Leilani Augmon tallied 10 points and grabbed 10 boards for her second consecutive game with a double-double.

Houston opened the game with nine quick points, led by 11 from Merchant's trio of 3-pointers. Mississippi Valley State's (1-8) D'yanna Maxey scored four straight points before the Cougars opened the lead behind an 8-0 run to take a 24-11 advantage after the first quarter.

The Cougars outscored the Devilettes 29-10 in the second stanza behind graduate guard Laila Blair's nine points on a perfect 3-for-3 behind the arc. Houston used a 20-4 run and finished the half in front, 53-21.

Houston continued to stretch its lead as it opened the third quarter on a 15-2 run. Chevalier scored all 12 of her points in the period, and the Cougar defense held Mississippi Valley State to just eight points in the frame.

The Cougars continued their dominance in the final stanza with two 7-0 runs and six points from Merchant to seal the win against the Devilettes. The 58-point margin of victory marked the largest win under Head Coach Ronald Hughey.

UP NEXT
Houston opens Big 12 Conference play as it faces Texas Tech at 2 p.m., Sunday inside United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas.

The Cougars return to Fertitta Center for a two-game homestand against #13/12 Kansas State on at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 1, and against Arizona State on 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 4.

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