Student Publications
University of Houston
151C Communications Bldg
Houston, TX 77204-4015
713.743.5350

©1991-2007
Student Publications,
All rights reserved.

Last modified:

Contact:
ktruitt@uh.edu

Sports

Lady Cougars get another win over Rice

by LOURDES CASTILLO
The Daily Cougar

The Lady Cougars (9-11) improved their Conference record after defeating crosstown rival Rice (8-12, 4-5) on Friday.

"I can't give the players enough credit. Both teams threw their best punches," head coach Joe Curl said. "I felt like the game was a transition game. When we didn't stop their transition, they spotted up and knocked down threes and when they didn't stop us, we got all the way to the limb. It was just a tough fought game."

During Houston's 75-62 win, the Lady Cougars turned the ball over only five times, a school record. The least amount UH had previously registered was set at six against Hawaii on Dec. 20, 2000.

"We are not as good of a rebounding team as we could be and should be, and on the way to being a good rebounding team we got to keep the turnovers down," Curl said. 

Houston went into the locker room with a four-point deficit, 33-29, at the half.

"Our goal was to make them match our energy and to be honest with you, we had to match theirs because I thought both teams just played their guts out." Curl said.

The Lady Cougars needed a leader to keep pushing the team to play hard and as strong. This leadership was found in sophomore Tye Jackson, who after scoring only six points in the first half, finished the game with 24 points. 

"The second half I just let the game come to me and kept it balanced," Jackson said. "Then they started to slow down, but we kept speeding up and playing our game."

Following Jackson's lead were freshmen talents Nakazi Glover and Sha'Ratta Hawkins, who finished with 18 and 13 points, respectively, along with four steals apiece.

Without a doubt, the total 17 steals and game-low five turnovers UH registered, compared to Rice's four steals and 20 turnovers, allowed the Lady Cougars to move into a 32-5 all time record, with UH winning six of the last seven meetings. 

"We haven't had a bad practice since early in the year. I'm very proud of this team because I think the sky is the limit," Curl said.

The Lady Cougars face Marshall at 7 p.m. tonight at Hofheinz Pavilion.
 

Send comments to dcsports@mail.uh.edu