PREVIEW: Women’s Basketball Travels to Waco to Face rv/#24 Baylor

Friday, January 17

Waco, Texas

6 p.m.

University of Houston

Baylor

PREVIEW: Women’s Basketball Travels to Waco to Face rv/#24 Baylor

1/16/2025 12:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Watch (ESPN+)Listen (The Varsity Network)Live Stats (StatBroadcast)Houston Game Notes (PDF)Baylor Game Notes (PDF)

Cougars and Bears tip off at 6 p.m., inside Foster Pavilion

WACO, Texas – The University of Houston Women's Basketball program heads back on the road in search of its first road this season against rv/#24 Baylor at 6 p.m., Friday inside Foster Pavilion.

HOUSTON COUGARS (5-12, 1-5 Big 12) at rv/#24 Baylor Bears (15-3, 5-1 Big 12)
Date \| Time	Friday, Jan. 17 \| 6 p.m.
Opponent	rv/#24 Baylor
Location	Foster Pavilion \| Waco, Texas
Watch	ESPN+
Listen	The Varsity Network \| Jeremy Branham
Live Stats	UHStats.com
Game Notes	Houston \| Baylor

THE GAME

Houston and rv/#24 Baylor meet for the 50th time in series history on Friday.
Houston leads the all-time series, 33-16.
The Cougars look to pick up their first road win of the 2024-25 season and first win in Waco since Jan. 25, 1995.
Friday marks the fourth meeting between Head Coaches Ronald Hughey and Nicki Collen.
The Cougars faced the Bears twice during Houston's inaugural season in the Big 12 with Baylor taking both wins.

LAST TIME OUT

After a tight game down the stretch, Houston knocked off #24 Oklahoma State, 79-76, on Tuesday evening inside Fertitta Center.
The win marked Houston's first against a ranked opponent since a 71-69 victory at #24/21 South Florida (Feb. 12, 2023) and the first at the Fertitta Center since #13/13 South Florida, 67-49 (Feb. 27, 2021).
Kierra Merchant recorded 20 points and four steals, followed by Gigi Cooke's 16 points and five rebounds. Eylia Love posted 15 points while Laila Blair added 10 points, including three 3-pointers and a season-high seven assists.

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 (222) has her eyes set on Houston's all-time 3-pointers made record of 226.
On Jan. 11, Blair moved up to third on Houston's all-time scoring list. She is 181 points away from moving up to second and surpassing Sharion Higgins with 1,957 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 returned to the coaching sidelines on Jan. 1 after giving birth to her daughter, Capri, on Nov. 4.

SERIES HISTORY

Houston record vs. Baylor	33-16
Home / away / neutral	16-7/13-6/4-3
Last meeting	L, 60-83 (Feb. 4, 2024) Houston, Texas
Streak	Baylor 4

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 –