Women’s Basketball Loses to BYU in Battle of the Cougars

PROVO, Utah – Four players scored in double figures, but it would not be enough as the University of Houston Women's Basketball program fell, 89-75, to BYU on Wednesday evening inside the Marriott Center.

For the second time this season, Houston (4-11, 0-4 Big 12) 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.

Graduate guard Laila Blair scored 15 points and is now two points away from surpassing Sonya Watkins' 1,752 points to become third on Houston's all-time scoring list.

BYU (10-5, 1-3 Big 12) started the game strong with an 8-0 and 9-0 run to make things difficult for Houston. Blair led the way with five points in the frame as BYU took a 21-11 advantage at the end of the opening period.

With her first trey of the game, Blair moved into sole possession of second place on Houston's all-time 3-pointers made list with 215. The graduate guard is now 12 3-pointers from surpassing Brittney Scott's record of 226.

In the second quarter, Houston clawed back to get within five on the back of five-straight points from Cooke as the two teams continued to exchange points. A 3-pointer at the buzzer by senior guard Lauren Davenport gave BYU the 44-33 lead at the half.

Houston outscored BYU in the opening minutes of the third quarter as Merchant tallied nine of her 23 points before the period's media timeout to get the Houston Cougars within two. BYU quickly responded with a 10-2 run to enter the final frame with a 64-54 lead.

The final 10 minutes were back-and-forth as neither team could score more than five points in a row. Merchant led the way posting eight points in the frame, but BYU halted any momentum from Houston as the BYU Cougars earned their first conference win of the season.

UP NEXT
The Cougars head to Salt Lake City to take on #22 Utah inside the Huntsman Center at 2:30 p.m. CT, Saturday.

Houston returns to Fertitta Center as it hosts Oklahoma State on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m., for its annual red out game. Fans in attendance will receive a red rally towel while supplies last.

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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