Basketball: Cougars Ready for American Championships (Beat Cincy 74-61, Lose to Temple 67-58)

http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/030117aac.html

SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Cincinnati enters the American Championships with a 16-13 record and finished conference play with a 7-9 record to earn the No. 7 seed at the Championships.

As a team, the Bearcats average 63.8 points per game while allowing opponents to score 64.0. Cincinnati shoots 38.5 percent from the field and 32.0 percent from beyond the 3-point line while allowing opponents to shoot 39.7 and 31.0 percent respectively.

Individually, the Bearcats have three players who score in double-figures including Shanice Johnson who leads the team with 15.2 points per game. Ana Owens scores 11.8, while Bianca Quisenberry contributes 10.4. Johnson also leads the Bearcats with 9.6 rebounds per game. Johnson has averaged a double-double in the two contests with Houston this season at 17.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

https://twitter.com/UHCougarWBB/status/837692285970087937


The Houston Cougars reached the second round of the American Women’s Basketball Championship for the first time in program history with a 74-61 victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats. Check out the postgame reactions from Coach Hughey and Freshman Angela Harris.


Presser

http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/w-baskbl/recaps/030317aaa.html

TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: For the second time during the 2016-17 season, the Cougars had five players score in double figures, including a team-high 17 from Angela Harris. Jasmyne Harris just missed a double-double scoring 16 points and pulling down a team-high eight rebounds, while Serithia Hawkins scored 15 points, Jacqueline Blake added 12 and Dorian Branch contributed 10.

Cincinnati: The Bearcats picked up a solid contribution from Shanice Johnson who tallied a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Ana Owens led all scorers in the game with 20 points including an 8-of-10 mark from the free-throw line, while Bianca Quisenberry added 10 points.

NEWS AND NOTES

With the win over the Bearcats, Houston advances to the quarterfinal round of the 2016-17 Frontier Communications American Athletic Conference Championship, where they will meet No. 2 Temple who received a first-round bye.
The Cougars improved to 2-3 all-time in the American Conference Championship tournament. The Cougars other win in the postseason event also came against the No. 7 seed when they defeated Memphis 73-67 on March 7, 2014.
Houston improved their all-time record in conference tournaments to 27-35.
The 74 points for Houston are the most they have scored in their five American Athletic Conference Championship games, surpassing 73 in a win over Memphis in 2014.
Ronald Hughey picked up his first win as a head coach against Cincinnati, snapping a 6-game losing streak to the Bearcats.
The 74 points for Houston are the most the Cougars have scored in a conference tournament game since March 7, 2004, when they defeated TCU 86-75 to win the Conference USA Championship.
Freshman Jasmyne Harris matched a career-high with three blocks in Friday night’s contest. Coincidentally, her previous 3-block game came at Cincinnati, on Jan. 7.

UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Houston advances to the quarterfinal round of the American Athletic Conference Championship where it meets No. 2 Temple. The Cougars met the Owls just one time during the regular season, a 69-57 win for Temple inside Hofheinz Pavilion. Tipoff against the Owls is scheduled for 5 p.m., with the contest airing live on ESPN3.

https://twitter.com/UHCougarWBB/status/838045969950334976

Good effort by the Coogs, but they just aren’t in the same weight class as #25 Temple right now


http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/w-baskbl/recaps/030417aaa.html

TOP PERFORMERS
Houston: The Cougars were led in scoring by freshman Angela Harris and senior Jacqueline Blake, who each scored 15 points in the contest. Sophomore Serithia Hawkins was the third Cougar in double figures with 10 points and 12 rebounds for her 11th career double-double.

Temple: The Owls had a big night from Feyonda Fitzgerald who led all scorers with 30 points in the game. Alliya Butts added 19, while Tanaya Atkinson contributed 16. Atkinson completed her double-double with 12 rebounds, while Ruth Sherrill pulled down a game-high 15 boards.

NEWS AND NOTES

With 10 points and 12 rebounds, sophomore Serithia Hawkins collected her seventh double-double of the season and the 11th of her career.
Houston was able to work its offense down low in the contest, outscoring the Owls in points in the paint 30-22.
The Cougars also won the bench points and points off turnovers battles in the game, taking each 7-0 and 16-14 respectively.