Coogs Lose Big Early Lead and Lose to SMU -- w/ VIDEO
HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- For the second time in about two weeks, the Houston Cougars lost a double-digit lead at home and lost. Sunday, January 17, the Coogs blew a 22-point second half lead and lost to Marshall 66-61. Saturday afternoon, the Cougars led the SMU Mustangs by 13 points in the first half only to lose 74-67 in front of an announced crowd of 458 fans.
Brittney Scott led the Cougars with 20 points; but, after the game, Scott was at a loss for words to explain her team's lack of consistency.
"I, honestly, can't," Scott said succinctly.
Houston (10-10 overall, 4-3 in C-USA) made its first four field goals to start the game then missed five straight shots.
"I think we lost our rhythm," said Houston's Courtney Taylor.
Scott eight points during a 13-4 run to give the Cougars a 26-13 lead with 10:38 remaining in the opening half. Unfortunately, the UH's inconsistency reared its ugly head once again; and, SMU (15-5, 5-2) closed out the half with a 22 to 8 run to take a 35-34 lead into the locker rooms.
Houston's woes on offense continued in the second half; and, the Mustangs extended the lead to 13 points (54-43) at the 8:34 mark of the half.
Trailing by 13 points and considering their Jekyll / Hyde nature, Houston seemed to have the Mustangs ripe for a comeback.
The Cougars methodically narrowed the deficit; then, UH head coach Joe Curl cranked up the pressure defense which helped spark his players.
Sophomore Megan Morton converted a lay-up to pull UH within three points (61-58) with 2:47 on the clock.
SMU's sophomore post player, Christine Elliott, took advantage of no help side defense and a fronting Courtney Taylor to convert a lob pass for a lay-up for a five point lead.
Taylor missed two free throws; but, Taylor picked up a steal only to see teammate Porsche Landry commit a turnover.
SMU's Hayley Day made a lay-up for a seven point Mustangs' lead with just 1:40 remaining in the game.
With 1:03 remaining, Brittney Scott splashed in a three-point bucket to trim Houston's deficit to just four points (66-62). Houston fouled SMU senior guard Jillian Samuels. Samuels made the first foul shot; missed the second; but, Christine Elliott pulled down the offensive rebound and Samuels sealed the game by draining both free throws.
SMU's Brittany Gilliam led all scorers with 22 points. Elliott finished with a double-double (14 points and 16 rebounds) Hayley Day also contributed a double-double with 10 points and 13 boards.
Houston was out rebounded 42-32 by SMU.
"I don't think we got out hustled to the ball," said Coach Curl. "I think that there were three or four four-minute segments that maybe we got "out toughed" for the ball; but, there were three or four segments that we out toughed them.
"We got to learn to play with the lead."
Houston's next game is versus crosstown rival, Rice, Thursday, February 4, at Tudor Fieldhouse. Tip is set for 7 p.m.
Brittney Scott led the Cougars with 20 points; but, after the game, Scott was at a loss for words to explain her team's lack of consistency.
"I, honestly, can't," Scott said succinctly.
Houston (10-10 overall, 4-3 in C-USA) made its first four field goals to start the game then missed five straight shots.
"I think we lost our rhythm," said Houston's Courtney Taylor.
Scott eight points during a 13-4 run to give the Cougars a 26-13 lead with 10:38 remaining in the opening half. Unfortunately, the UH's inconsistency reared its ugly head once again; and, SMU (15-5, 5-2) closed out the half with a 22 to 8 run to take a 35-34 lead into the locker rooms.
Houston's woes on offense continued in the second half; and, the Mustangs extended the lead to 13 points (54-43) at the 8:34 mark of the half.
Trailing by 13 points and considering their Jekyll / Hyde nature, Houston seemed to have the Mustangs ripe for a comeback.
The Cougars methodically narrowed the deficit; then, UH head coach Joe Curl cranked up the pressure defense which helped spark his players.
Sophomore Megan Morton converted a lay-up to pull UH within three points (61-58) with 2:47 on the clock.
SMU's sophomore post player, Christine Elliott, took advantage of no help side defense and a fronting Courtney Taylor to convert a lob pass for a lay-up for a five point lead.
Taylor missed two free throws; but, Taylor picked up a steal only to see teammate Porsche Landry commit a turnover.
SMU's Hayley Day made a lay-up for a seven point Mustangs' lead with just 1:40 remaining in the game.
With 1:03 remaining, Brittney Scott splashed in a three-point bucket to trim Houston's deficit to just four points (66-62). Houston fouled SMU senior guard Jillian Samuels. Samuels made the first foul shot; missed the second; but, Christine Elliott pulled down the offensive rebound and Samuels sealed the game by draining both free throws.
SMU's Brittany Gilliam led all scorers with 22 points. Elliott finished with a double-double (14 points and 16 rebounds) Hayley Day also contributed a double-double with 10 points and 13 boards.
Houston was out rebounded 42-32 by SMU.
"I don't think we got out hustled to the ball," said Coach Curl. "I think that there were three or four four-minute segments that maybe we got "out toughed" for the ball; but, there were three or four segments that we out toughed them.
"We got to learn to play with the lead."
Houston's next game is versus crosstown rival, Rice, Thursday, February 4, at Tudor Fieldhouse. Tip is set for 7 p.m.
posted by Kris Gardner @ 5:06 PM
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