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

UH scores quadruple double in victory

by RONNIE TURNER
The Daily Cougar

It's becoming increasingly clear with each passing game that the success of the UH women's basketball team will be dictated by the amount of hustle each player gives, especially considering that there are now only seven left on the active roster.

Defying conventional wisdom, the Cougars have already shown they can still be competitive, provided each player gives efficient hustle. If fans needed more proof, the team supplied it with Saturday's dominant 81-65 victory over Southern Methodist at Hofheinz Pavilion. 

Signs of the Cougars' hustle were all over the court during that contest where Houston (7-11, 4-4 C-USA) out-rebounded SMU 68-40. The Cougars also set a C-USA single-game record with 36 offensive rebounds, which they converted into 38 second-chance points.

"That's (an) absolutely, unbelievable effort, and I give all credit to the kids because effort starts with them," UH head coach Joe Curl said. "Effort is something that's caught, and not taught, (and) when you get all of them to do it, it's absolutely a breath of air to coach them."

That never-say-die effort kept the game in reach for the Cougars, who shot poorly (28 percent) in the first half, but trailed only 37-30 at halftime. 

Houston soon found its offensive touch, starting the second half on a 15-3 run to take a 45-40 lead. The Cougars never trailed from that point, using strong rebounding and efficient defense to prevent the Mustangs (11-9, 3-5 C-USA) from regaining the offensive rhythm they showcased in the first half. 

Senior center ShaQuaylon McKinney contributed heavily to the second-half onslaught, picking 17 of her 18 points and 14 of her game-high 16 rebounds in that period.

When the smoke cleared, the team had four players finish with double-doubles: McKinney, junior guard Tye Jackson (21 points, 10 rebounds), junior forward Sunshine Misa-Uli (14 points, 12 rebounds) and junior forward Whitney James (17 points, 14 rebounds).
 

Send comments to dcsports@mail.uh.edu