University of Houston Athletics
Tuesday, November 11
Houston, Texas
6:30 p.m.
University of Houston
2-1,0-0Big 12
56
vs
70
Rice
1-1,0-0American
1st quarter1
2nd quarter2
3rd quarter3
4th quarter4
FinalF
Rice
14
18
13
25
70
Houston
10
17
11
18
56
Women’s Basketball Falls Against Rice
11/11/2025 11:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kierra Merchant records her first career double-double on Tuesday
HOUSTON – Despite junior guard Kierra Merchant posting her first career double-double, the University of Houston women's basketball team fell 70-56 to Rice at the Fertitta Center on Tuesday.
Houston (2-1) suffered its first loss of the season as Merchant finished the game in a tie for a team-leading 12 points, paired with a career-high 14 rebounds. Graduate forward Amirah Abdur-Rahim and redshirt-senior guard Kyndall Hunter each also produced 12 points while senior guard TK Pitts hit double-digit rebounds for a second consecutive outing with 10 on the night.
Rice (1-1) found a spark early in the first as it built up to a 9-1 lead. Hunter found rhythm and chipped into the Owls' lead, scoring seven of Houston's next nine points to close the deficit to 14-10 at the end of the period.
The second quarter mirrored the first with Rice jumping on a quick 12-2 run to extend its lead at 26-12. The Cougars flipped momentum to cut the gap back to single digits and respond with a 9-2 run to trail 28-21. A late push kept Houston within striking distance as the Owls led 32-27 at the half.
The Cougars stayed in the mix late into the third, pushing the pace to a three-point deficit at 41-38 before a pair of trips to the free throw line for Rice in the final minute settled the score at 45-38 at the end of the third.
Back-to-back buckets to begin the fourth quarter created more separation for the Owls. The Cougars rode a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to seven, but Rice closed out the final minutes to earn its first win of the season.
UP NEXT
Houston heads to Stephen F. Austin for its first road game of the season at 6 p.m., Monday, at the William R. Johnson Coliseum. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
From there, the Cougars remain on the road to face UTRGV on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 6:30 p.m., in Edinburg, Texas.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women's Basketball by providing NIL opportunities and by joining Full Court Press, 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, formerly known as Twitter, 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.
Houston (2-1) suffered its first loss of the season as Merchant finished the game in a tie for a team-leading 12 points, paired with a career-high 14 rebounds. Graduate forward Amirah Abdur-Rahim and redshirt-senior guard Kyndall Hunter each also produced 12 points while senior guard TK Pitts hit double-digit rebounds for a second consecutive outing with 10 on the night.
Rice (1-1) found a spark early in the first as it built up to a 9-1 lead. Hunter found rhythm and chipped into the Owls' lead, scoring seven of Houston's next nine points to close the deficit to 14-10 at the end of the period.
The second quarter mirrored the first with Rice jumping on a quick 12-2 run to extend its lead at 26-12. The Cougars flipped momentum to cut the gap back to single digits and respond with a 9-2 run to trail 28-21. A late push kept Houston within striking distance as the Owls led 32-27 at the half.
The Cougars stayed in the mix late into the third, pushing the pace to a three-point deficit at 41-38 before a pair of trips to the free throw line for Rice in the final minute settled the score at 45-38 at the end of the third.
Back-to-back buckets to begin the fourth quarter created more separation for the Owls. The Cougars rode a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to seven, but Rice closed out the final minutes to earn its first win of the season.
UP NEXT
Houston heads to Stephen F. Austin for its first road game of the season at 6 p.m., Monday, at the William R. Johnson Coliseum. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
From there, the Cougars remain on the road to face UTRGV on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 6:30 p.m., in Edinburg, Texas.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women's Basketball by providing NIL opportunities and by joining Full Court Press, 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, formerly known as Twitter, 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 –
Team Stats
Rice
UH
FG%
.316
.295
3FG%
.250
.200
FT%
.903
.545
RB
39
50
TO
16
23
STL
9
10
Game Leaders
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
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