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Sports

Cougars fall short against UAB

Jackson's 22 points not enough to prevent rout

by MARK SUAREZ
The Daily Cougar

In their final regular season game, the Cougars walked into Hofheinz Pavilion looking to make a statement prior to the upcoming Conference USA Tournament in Tulsa, Okla. 

However, it was Alabama-Birmingham that made one of its own, courtesy of the three-point shot. 

UAB set a Hofheinz Pavilion record with 12 three-point baskets en route to an 84-63 win Saturday.

The victory gave the Blazers the second seed and a first-round bye in the conference tournament and leaves Houston with the No. 9 seed and a first-round matchup against Marshall on Thursday.

"I thought we gave great effort, but when you're (11-of-24) from the foul line and missing cheap shots, (it's tough)," UH head coach Joe Curl said. "I'm proud of our effort."

UH (8-18, 5-11 C-USA) cut the deficit to 66-51 when junior guard Alona Obaze knocked down a jumper with six minutes remaining. 

However, the Blazers (17-11, 12-4 C-USA) responded by outscoring the Cougars 18-12 down the stretch to seal the victory. 

UAB center Amanda Scott (3-of-4 from behind the arc) and forward Diamond Rogers (2-of-3) gave UH fits on the perimeter, a trend Curl felt the Cougars did not adjust to soon enough. 

"I was disappointed that I had to make those adjustments because the (team) needs to make those adjustments on the court," Curl said. "The scouting report doesn't say (Scott) is a tremendous three-point shooter, (but) anytime one person makes a shot, she's a tremendous three-point shooter and we've got to take that shot away."

Several Cougars struggled to find their shot with the exception of junior forward Sunshine Misa-Uli, who scored 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting with 14 rebounds. 

Tye "Triple Threat" Jackson played the entire game and chipped in 22 points. However, her shooting woes mirrored that of her teammates as she shot only 8-of-29 from the field.

Jackson said after the game that she is still feeling the effects of a knee injury suffered early in the season.

"Right now my knee is not 100 percent, but it's better than what I thought it would be," Jackson said. "I just have to take it day by day and keep working hard."

On the defensive end, UH did not have an answer for the versatile inside-outside game of Rogers and guard Britney Jones, who combined for 35 points and five three-point baskets. 

Houston has been limited to a seven-player rotation late in the season due to injuries and academic issues, but Curl refused to make any excuses about his team's lack of depth. 

"The effort was there," Curl said. "The last minute, we're still trying to poke the ball, running and head-butting each other and that's all you can ask for when your numbers are down."

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