Coogs improve to 10-3 with gutsy win over George Mason

Posted: December 21, 2017 -- 11:02 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (H&PE Arena) -- In a game which featured 52 fouls and 57 turnovers combined, the Houston Cougars found a way to earn an 82-73 victory over the George Mason Patriots. The Coogs trailed 68-67 with 3:07 remaining in the game; but a 10-0 Houston run in 2 minutes and 21 seconds put Houston ahead by nine points with 49.5 seconds remaining.

Final stats of Houston's 82-73 win over George Mason

Despite a few shaky moments (turnovers and missed free throws, Houston held on for the hard fought victory.

"I'm really excited with the way we fought and came back," said Houston Head Coach Ronald Hughey after the game."

Houston's junior forward Serithia Hawkins was huge in the second-half. The 6'0" Hawkins did an excellent job against George Mason's 6'5" Natalie Butler in the second 20 minutes.

Butler dominated the Coogs in the first half with 26 points (11 for 13 field goals) and 12 rebounds. Houston had no answer for Butler in the first 20 minutes.

At halftime, Hawkins said to the coaching staff, "Put me at the five. Just put me at the five." Playing the five, meant Hawkins would defend Butler. Hawkins accepted the challenge and, with some help from her teammates, limited Butler to 9 points in the second half on 2 for 3 field goals (5 for 9 free throws) for just 9 points. Butler finished with a career-high 35 points; but, she was no where near as dominant in the second half like she was in the first half.

Despite Butler's 26 points in the first half, Houston led 44-39 at halftime. Houston sophomore guard Angela Harris scored 10 points in the first half to lead a balanced Houston scoring attack as six different Coogs scored between 4 and 10 points.

In the third quarter, Butler attempted only three field goals; but, her teammates took up the scoring slack and scored 13 of the Patriots' 17 third quarter points.

Houston struggled to make shots in the third quarter: the Coogs shot 30.0% (6 for 20) from the floor in the third period; but, Houston forced George Mason to commit 12 turnovers in the quarter.

George Mason was whistled for 9 fouls in the third quarter; but, Houston did not shoot well from the foul line. The Coogs missed 6 of 11 foul shots which helped keep the Patriots close.

The Coogs led 61-56 after three quarters.

Houston went frigid in the fourth quarter: missed 10 of 11 field goal attempts which allowed the Patriots to erase a 63-56 deficit and hang around for the first six minutes of the fourth period.

With 3:08 on the clock, George Mason took a 68-67 lead when Butler made 1 of 2 foul shots.

With 2:28 remaining, Octavia Barnes sank a jump shot to end Houston's field goal drought of 10 straight misses. Then, after getting into position and drawing a charging foul (5th foul) on George Mason's Nicole Cardaño-Hillary, Jasmyne Harris nailed a three-point basket to give the Coogs a 72-68 lead.

George Mason missed a layup which led to a layup by Serithia Hawkins; then, Houston forced another turnover and Hawkins converted a three-point play for a 77-68 lead with 49.5 seconds on the clock.

Hawkins fouled out a few seconds later; but, she finished the game with 18 points and 14 rebounds (11 points and 10 boards in the second half) for the 13th double-double of her career.

With the win, Houston improves to 10-3 this season. The Coogs' 10 wins in non-conference are the most since the 2002-'03 season.

"I'm really excited we were able to get us a good Christmas present before we went home," said Hughey.

Houston closes out the non-conference schedule next Thursday, December 28, versus Columbia. Tip is set for 5 p.m.

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