University of Houston Athletics

Women’s Basketball Falls Short Against #10 Iowa State
12/31/2025 4:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Briana Peguero leads Cougars with 14 points, TK Pitts notches career-high 15 rebounds
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Women's Basketball team led early, but #10 Iowa State stormed back to win 80-62 inside the Fertitta Center on Wednesday afternoon.
Two Cougars reached double figures as graduate guard Briana Peguero led the team with 14 points. Freshman forward Jade Jones followed up with 11 points while senior guard TK Pitts set a new career-high 15 rebounds on the day.
Iowa State had two players record double-doubles. Junior center Audi Crooks posted 35 points and 13 rebounds while junior guard Jada Williams added 16 points and a career-high 14 assists.
Houston (6-7, 0-2 Big 12) jumped out to an energetic start, building an early 9-7 lead at the first media timeout. A quick 5-0 run extended the lead to 14-7 before Iowa State (14-0, 2-0 Big 12) sparked a 10-0 run to cap off the first quarter with a 17-14 lead.
The Cougars battled back early in the second quarter to trail by one before the Cyclones' 10-2 run to take a 29-20 lead at the second media timeout.
Houston responded with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit down to two, but back-to-back Iowa State 3-pointers stretched the gap once again as they took a 45-31 lead to the half.
The Cougars pushed back early in the second half to cut the deficit to nine, but the Cyclones pushed back in the paint, relying on Crooks' 35-point performance to create distance and close out the game in the second half.
UP NEXT
Houston continues conference play against rv Oklahoma State inside Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., at 3 p.m., Saturday on ESPN+.
The Cougars return to Fertitta Center for a two-game homestand beginning with Kansas State on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 6:30 p.m., for Family Game Night. Fans can stay after the game for postgame autographs with redshirt-senior guard Kyndall Hunter.
Houston welcomes rv/- BYU on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 1 p.m., for Youth Basketball Day. Fans can stick around for postgame autographs with TK Pitts.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women's Basketball by providing NIL opportunities, purchasing tickets and 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.
Two Cougars reached double figures as graduate guard Briana Peguero led the team with 14 points. Freshman forward Jade Jones followed up with 11 points while senior guard TK Pitts set a new career-high 15 rebounds on the day.
Iowa State had two players record double-doubles. Junior center Audi Crooks posted 35 points and 13 rebounds while junior guard Jada Williams added 16 points and a career-high 14 assists.
Houston (6-7, 0-2 Big 12) jumped out to an energetic start, building an early 9-7 lead at the first media timeout. A quick 5-0 run extended the lead to 14-7 before Iowa State (14-0, 2-0 Big 12) sparked a 10-0 run to cap off the first quarter with a 17-14 lead.
The Cougars battled back early in the second quarter to trail by one before the Cyclones' 10-2 run to take a 29-20 lead at the second media timeout.
Houston responded with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit down to two, but back-to-back Iowa State 3-pointers stretched the gap once again as they took a 45-31 lead to the half.
The Cougars pushed back early in the second half to cut the deficit to nine, but the Cyclones pushed back in the paint, relying on Crooks' 35-point performance to create distance and close out the game in the second half.
UP NEXT
Houston continues conference play against rv Oklahoma State inside Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., at 3 p.m., Saturday on ESPN+.
The Cougars return to Fertitta Center for a two-game homestand beginning with Kansas State on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 6:30 p.m., for Family Game Night. Fans can stay after the game for postgame autographs with redshirt-senior guard Kyndall Hunter.
Houston welcomes rv/- BYU on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 1 p.m., for Youth Basketball Day. Fans can stick around for postgame autographs with TK Pitts.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women's Basketball by providing NIL opportunities, purchasing tickets and 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
IowaSt
UH
FG%
.531
.385
3FG%
.500
.500
FT%
.571
.667
RB
38
35
TO
15
12
STL
2
9
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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Sunday, March 02
Postgame - TCU (Feb. 26, 2025)
Wednesday, February 26




















