Tulane University
Houston
Women's Basketball Falls To Houston
Feb 8, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 8, 2002
HOUSTON, Texas - - Houston used a 14-2 burst early in the second half to post an 85-74 win over the Tulane women's basketball team at Hofheinz Pavillion on Friday.
With the loss, Tulane falls to 16-9 overall and 4-6 in Conference USA play. Houston improves to 16-6 and 6-2 in league action.
Houston took a 37-34 lead into the lockerroom thanks to a 6-of-15 effort from behind the three-point line. Tulane led by as many as six points and appeared poised to extend the margin on several occasions, only to see the Cougars answer with a timely three-pointer each time. With the score tied at 34-34 late in the first half, Houston's Angela Curl hit a three-pointer from the baseline to give the Cougars a three-point cushion at the break.
Tulane tied the score at 37-37 just seconds into the second half on an old-fashioned three-point play from Teana McKiver. However, Houston used a full-court press to post a 14-2 burst, taking a 51-39 lead with 17:02 remaining. The Cougars built its lead to as many as 17 before the Green Wave fought back. The Green Wave trimmed the Houston lead to seven, with under a minute remaing but the Cougars held on for the 11-point victory.
McKiver led all scorers with 27 points, with 21 coming in the second half. She also had eight rebounds, five blocks and two steals. Sarah Goree, starting for the first time since the January 7 match-up with UNO, tied her season high with 19 points while dishing out eight assists and grabbing three steals.
TIffany Wilson and Gwen Slaughter also scored in double figures for Tulane, with Wilson adding 11 and Slaughter 10. Wilson chipped in three assists and four steals, while Slaughter had four rebounds and a pair of assists.
The two teams had almost identical shooting percentages, with Tulane making 30-of-61 shots from the floor (49.2 percent). Houston was 29-of-61 from the floor (47.5 percent), but made up the difference from behind the three-point line and at the charity stripe. The Cougars hit eight three-pointers, including six in the first half, and were 19-of-21 from the free throw line. Houston was 16-of-17 from the free throw line in the second half alone, while Tulane attempted just 15 free throws for the game.
Chandi Jones, last season's Conference USA Freshman of the Year, led Houston with 26 points and seven assists.
Tulane returns to action on Sunday, as the Green Wave travel to face No. 24 TCU in Fort Worth. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
