Late Surge Propels Women’s Basketball Past Montana on Tuesday

Tuesday, December 16

Houston, Texas

11 a.m.

University of Houston

6-5,0-0Big 12

Montana

2-7,0-0Big Sky

Montana

Houston

Late Surge Propels Women’s Basketball Past Montana on Tuesday

12/16/2025 2:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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TK Pitts’ first career double-double, Briana Peguero’s 14 points lead Cougars’ fourth quarter comeback

HOUSTON – Senior guard TK Pitts' first career double-double sparked a late fourth quarter comeback as the University of Houston Women's Basketball team defeated Montana 60-54 on Education Day inside the Fertitta Center on Tuesday afternoon.

Houston (6-5) concluded the non-conference portion of the schedule with two scorers in double-figures against Montana (2-7).

Pitts posted a career-high 12 rebounds along with 11 points to earn her first career double-double. Graduate guard Briana Peguero reached double figures for the fifth time this season and the third time in the last four games, posting 14 points with five rebounds and three steals.

Both teams opened to a contested start with Pitts leading the charge, scoring Houston's first four points of the game. A short 7-3 run put the Cougars in front at 9-6 midway through the first before Montana rode a 7-0 spark to take a 14-11 lead heading into the second quarter.

The start of the second mirrored the first as each side traded scores before a 7-2 run gave the Lady Griz an eight-point gap at 23-15. A full-team effort across four scorers propelled an 11-0 run for Houston to close out the half and lead 26-23.

A game of runs ensued in the second half as the lead changed five times in the third. Montana shot its way back into the game from behind the arc, retaking the lead at 31-30 with a 7-2 spurt. The Cougars responded with a 6-3 run, but a late layup gave the Lady Griz a one-point lead at 42-41 to end the quarter.

Montana opened the final frame with a 6-0 run over 5:33 to extend its lead to 48-41. Peguero found the hot hand late, sparking a six-point run by herself, including a four-point play to cut the deficit down to three at 50-47.

A layup by junior guard Kierra Merchant and two trips to the charity stripe capped off a 10-0 run for the Cougars, earning a 53-50 lead. After two Lady Griz free throws cut the gap back down to one, Pitts knocked down a crucial 3-pointer to regain a two-possession lead at 56-52 with 29 seconds to go. Peguero knocked down four free throws to seal the 60-54 victory in the final non-conference game of the season.

UP NEXT
Houston opens Big 12 Conference action against West Virginia at 1 p.m. CT Sunday, inside Hope Coliseum in Morgantown, W.Va. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

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– UHCougars.com –