HOUSTON – Senior Tiara Young’s career-high 21 points led the University of Houston women’s basketball team to its first victory of the season with a 71-55 win over Texas A&M Commerce Tuesday at Fertitta Center.
The Cougars (1-2) have now won nine-consecutive home opening games dating back to the 2014 season. Three Cougars dropped 10 or more points on the night with senior Bria Patterson and junior Laila Blair posting 11 and 10, respectively. Graduate Tatyana Hill was dominant on the glass with 15 rebounds while senior Britney Onyeje recorded a career-high six steals paired with eight points and seven rebounds.
The first quarter tipped off to a low-scoring affair as the Cougars broke out to a 6-5 lead midway through the period. Houston created some distance with a 6-3 run to end the first quarter with a 14-10 lead.
Entering the second quarter, the Cougars carried over momentum to spark a 6-0 run. Houston let loose with a string of runs to stretch the lead to 35-17 late in the first half. Despite a late push in the second by the Lions, the Cougars held on to a 36-23 lead at the half led by senior Tiara Young’s 11 first half points.
The Cougars stifling defense limited the Lions offensive chances past half court as they forced 24 turnovers in the first half.
Houston outscored Texas A&M Commerce 13-4 in the opening six minutes of the second half, mirroring its defensive success in the first half and stretching the lead to 49-27.
In the fourth quarter, the Cougars rode a 10-0 run to extend the gap to 62-39.
Texas A&M Commerce pushed through a steady exchange of scoring through the length of the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 62-58.
Despite the Lions late push, the Cougars halted all the opposing momentum to close out the game at 71-55.
UP NEXT
The Cougars remain in Houston before hosting Florida State on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+ and The Varsity Network.
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