Coogs haven’t lost at home this year and they should be favored in this one:
Getting back on track against the Houston Cougars will be a difficult task. The Cougars are one of the most improved teams in college basketball. Houston boasts a 14-3 overall mark and a 3-0 record in the AAC. The Cougars have already won more games during the 2017-2018 season than they did during the entire 2016-2017 season, when they went 12-19.
http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/010918aaa.html
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Cincinnati enters Wednesday’s matchup with a 9-7 record and a 1-2 mark in American Athletic Conference play. The Bearcats enter having dropped their last two contests, 69-46 at home against USF on Jan. 3, and a 64-51 decision at Tulsa on Jan. 6. The Bearcats are 2-3 away from Cincinnati this season.
The Bearcats shoot 42.7 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from beyond the 3-point line leading to 66.9 points per game. Conversely, the Bearcats allow opponents to score 59.8 points per contest while letting them shoot 36.7 percent overall and 31.4 percent from deep.
Cincinnati has three players that average double figures in scoring, including Nikira Goings who paces the Bearcats with 13.1 points per game. Iiamr’I Thomas averages 11.8 points per contest while primarily coming off the bench, and Ana Owens scores 10.1 a night.
The Bearcats are a balanced team on the glass with Shanice Johnson leading the way with 6.4 rebounds per contest.
Coogs down 41-40 at the half. Defense has been lacking, but they started playing better at the end of the half.
Coogs looked sluggish tonight and just couldn’t get over the hump even though they took a slight lead and got within 2 at one point before Cincy ran off 8 in a row.
Wondering if the team is wearing down a bit with only a 6-woman rotation. Just didn’t have the spark they normally had.
Cincy played well though, got to give them credit. They pounded the Coogs inside and the bounces went their way.
Tough game to try to come back from this loss with UCONN coming to town next.
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These Coogs need depth and size in the worst way…I see where the seven footer locally is going to the evil empire…the rich get richer…
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http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/w-baskbl/recaps/011018aaa.html
TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: Houston had four of its six players that saw action in the contest reach double-figures including Jasmyne Harris who led all scorers with 29 points, marking her fourth-consecutive 20-point game. Angela Harris added 18 points, while Dorian Branch finished with 10. Serithia Hawkins picked up her second-consecutive double-double and 15th of her career with 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
Cincinnati: The Bearcats also had four players reach double-figures in scoring, including Ana Owens who paced Cincinnati with 27 points. Angel Rizor added 18 points, while leading the Bearcats with eight rebounds, and Sam Rodgers and Iimar’I Thomas each had 11.
NEWS AND NOTES
Sophomore Jasmyne Harris led all scorers with 29 points in the game. Through four games in American Athletic Conference play, Harris is averaging 29.0 points per game and has had four-consecutive 20-point games. Harris has also scored double-figures in her last nine contests and 14 of her last 15.
Harris 29 points gives her 717 points in just 49 games at Houston.
Angela Harris’ 18 points in the contest gives her 551 in her career.
With three offensive rebounds in the contest, Serithia Hawkins moved into a tie for eighth on the all-time Houston offensive rebounding list with 235 in her career. Hawkins moved past Kellye Jones (232; 1988-92) and Voccia Calhoun (233; 1988-92) and tied Chandi Jones (235; 2000-04).
Hawkins finished the game with 11 boards, giving her 610 in her career and making her just the 13th Cougar in program history to pull down at least 600 rebounds.
Blackshell-Fair’s injury really hurt as Hughey just doesn’t seem confident to go deeper into the bench. Been working so far, but we’ll see if the team starts wearing down as the season goes along.
And you’re right about size. Cincy pounded the Coogs inside and we were helpless to stop them for the most part. Normally, the Coogs have their press going to help alleviate some of that, but the fatigue didn’t allow them to do that as much last night.
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Ronald Hughey, Houston Cougars women’s basketball Head Coach, discusses Houston 88-82 loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats. With the loss, Houston is 3-1 in The American; Cincinnati is 2-2 in The American.