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Sports

Lady Cougars will look to halt skid against Tulane

by ARICA JEFFERSON
The Daily Cougar

The women's basketball team hopes to bounce back from the two-game losing streak they suffered over the weekend against conference opponent the Tulane Green Wave (8-7, 2-4 in Conference USA) at 7 p.m. Friday at Hofheinz Pavilion. 

The Lady Cougars' (7-10, 4-2) losses to SMU, 66-55, and Tulsa, 83-55, ended a four-game winning streak that boosted the team's level of play and confidence. In Sunday's game against Tulsa, UH was held to a season-low shooting percentage of 21 percent. 

In Friday's game, UH will rely on the athleticism of freshman guard Sha'Ratta Hawkins (15.8 points per game) and the scoring hand of sophomore guard Tye Jackson (18.5 points per game).

Tulane is now 2-4 in C-USA after losing to Central Florida, Southern Miss, Tulsa and SMU. Sophomore forward Jennifer Sands is the go-to girl for the Green Wave with five game-highs in points on the season and an average of 13.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per contest. 

Tulane freshman point guard Ashley Langford is also making a name for herself -- she had 18 points, seven rebounds and five steals in a win against Memphis. 

The Lady Cougars must limit their turnovers against the Green Wave. Turnovers have been a problem for the team, which averages 16.6 per game. UH has, however, been able to force 19.6 turnovers per game, leaving them with a plus-three margin. If the ladies take care of the ball and shoot more than 30 percent from the field, head coach Joe Curl believes his team has a strong chance to defeat the Green Wave.

As head coach Joe Curl said, "It is not about the other team, it's about us." 

The Lady Cougars will play the next three out of four games at home. After Tulane, the ladies take on UTEP at 2 p.m. Sunday. Rice will have the chance to redeem itself for the Jan. 15 loss the Cougars handed them at 7 p.m. Friday at Autry Court. Houston will return to Hofheinz to face C-USA newcomer Marshall at 7 p.m. Feb. 6.
 

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