Women's Basketball Falls in Road Battle Against Cincinnati

CINCINNATI - With seven available players for the third time this season, University of Houston Women's Basketball fell, 73-65, against Cincinnati on Wednesday evening inside Fifth Third Arena.

Houston (5-16, 1-9 Big 12) had three players score in double figures as redshirt sophomore guard Gigi Cooke led the Cougars with 20 points, her second game this season with 20 or more points. Graduate guard Laila Blair added 19 points and played all 40 minutes for a third-straight game this season. Blair moved to first in program history for most minutes played at 4,031 career minutes.

Cincinnati (13-6, 5-4 Big 12) was led by fifth-year forward Jillian Hayes with her ninth double-double of the season with 21 points and 18 rebounds.

In the first quarter, both teams were active on both ends of the court. Blair secured the first bucket for the Cougars in the paint. Cincinnati used a pair of free throws and layups to stretch the lead to 6-2. Following the media timeout, Cincinnati went on a 6-2 run to extend its lead to 19-11.

Cincinnati maintained the lead throughout the second quarter as it shot 61% from the field. Houston continued to attempt to sneak back into the game, but Cincinnati had an answer each time. The Bearcats went into halftime with a comfortable 45-32 lead.

The Cougars looked for a comeback in the third as Cooke scored six points during Houston's 11-2 run to cut the deficit down to four. Cincinnati responded as it held Houston to just one layup to regain a double-digit lead. Both teams capped off the third quarter in a free-throw trading affair with Cooke going five-for-five from the charity stripe as the Bearcats led 61-51 at the end of the quarter.

Despite several players in foul trouble in the final frame, Houston outscored Cincinnati 14-12 and were able to cut the Bearcats' lead again down to four. The Cougars were unable to score in the final minutes and three trips to the free throw line for Cincinnati helped the Bearcats snap its three-game losing streak over the Cougars.

UP NEXT
Houston remains on the road as it heads down to Orlando, Fla., to face UCF at 11 a.m., CT, Saturday inside Addition Financial Arena.

The Cougars return to Fertitta Center for a two game homestand first against Baylor on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m., for National Girls & Women in Sports Day, followed by West Virginia on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m., for its Celebrate Black Excellence Game.

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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