PREVIEW: Women’s Basketball Set to Face #22 Utah on Saturday

SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Houston Women's Basketball program closes its road swing against #22 Utah at 2:30 p.m. CT, Saturday inside the Huntsman Center.

HOUSTON COUGARS (4-11, 0-4 Big 12) at #22 Utah (12-3, 3-1 Big 12)
Date \| Time	Saturday, Jan. 11 \| 2:30 p.m. CT
Opponent	Utah (12-3, 3-1 Big 12)
Location	Huntsman Center \| Salt Lake City, Utah
Watch	ESPN+ \| Krista Blunk, Angela Taylor
Listen	The Varsity Network \| Lonnie King
Live Stats	UHStats.com
Game Notes	Houston \| Utah

THE GAME

Houston closes its road trip against #22 Utah inside the Huntsman Center on Saturday.
Saturday's meeting marks the third meeting in program history and first meeting since Dec. 16, 1988.
Utah won the first meeting in Salt Lake City, 85-70 (Dec. 12, 1986).
This marks Houston's second meeting this season against a ranked opponent.
Houston is 0-1 this season against the new Big 12 Conference members (L, 60-69 vs. Arizona State).

LAST TIME OUT

Four players scored in double figures, but it would not be enough as Houston fell, 89-75, to BYU on Wednesday evening inside the Marriott Center.
For the first time this season, Houston allowed the opponent to score more than 74 points
For the second time this season, Houston made at least 10 3-pointers, including five from sophomore guard Kierra Merchant. Merchant was 6-for-6 to start and scored 23 points on the night. Redshirt sophomore guard Gigi Cooke recorded 16 points against BYU and graduate guard Laila Blair recorded 15 points.

HEADLINES

The Cougars return six players from the 2023-24 roster: Kierra Merchant, Gigi Cooke, Avalon Miller, Maliyah Johnson, Peyton McFarland and All-Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention, Laila Blair.
Blair (215) has her eyes set on Houston's all-time 3-pointers made record of 226.
On Dec. 4, 2024, Blair moved up to fourth on Houston's all-time scoring list with 18 points against UT Arlington. She is two points away from moving up to third and surpassing Sonya Watkins with 1,752 points.
Houston welcomes five transfers this season including Leilani Augmon (Troy), Summer Bostock (Maryland), Ashley Chevalier (Texas Tech), Eylia Love (Louisville) and Kateri Poole (LSU).
Avalon Miller (Achilles), Maliyah Johnson (ACL) and Kateri Poole (ACL) will miss the season after suffering season ending injuries leaving Houston with nine available players.
Assistant Coach Chynna Grimes missed the first 12 games of the season after giving birth to her daughter, Capri, on Nov. 4.

SERIES HISTORY

Houston record vs. Utah	1-1
Home / away / neutral	1-0/0-1/0-0
Last meeting	W, 65-62 (Dec. 16, 1988) Houston, Texas
Streak	Houston 1

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women's Basketball by purchasing single game tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and by joining the Fast Break Club, which provides support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB on X 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 –

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