UH 71, Owls 66

The Rice Owls did something Sunday afternoon they hadn't done during their four game losing streak: they made shots.

The Houston Lady Cougars did something they've done most of the 2007 - 2008 season: they fell behind early.

In the end, the Lady Coogs topped the Owls 71 to 66 before a crowd of 614 fans at Hofheinz Pavilion. The win improves Houston's record to 8 - 9 overall and 2 and 1 in Conference USA while the Owls record falls to 7 and 10 and 0 and 3 in conference play.

After a made lay-up by freshman guard Brittney Hudson, Rice led Houston 31 to 14 with 7:42 remaining in the first half. The Owls' offense was efficient and effective. Rice made 13 out of 22 from the field to lead by 17 points. However, Rice's recent woes during their losing streak began to surface. Rice finished the first half making only 2 of 12 from the field while Houston began rebounding; attacking the basket; and scoring in the paint.

Houston finished the first half with a 22 to 5 run to tie the game at 36 at halftime.

"We did our usual -- come out lackadaisical," said Houston senior guard Twiggy McIntyre after the game. "We just didn't have it. Thank goodness we were able to overcome it in the first half instead of having to come back in the second half like we have done recently. We have to find a way to bring the intensity we play with in the second half to the first half and play a complete 40 minutes instead of 20 or 25 minutes."

The Owls showed new resolve and composure by scoring the first seven points in the second half -- four from freshman post Morgan Mayse and a three-point jumper by sophomore Tara Watts.

"We came out and scored the first seven points of the second half and led pretty much the entire second half until the down the stretch," said Owls head coach Greg Williams.

Houston quickly answered with a made jump shot by senior Tye Jackson and a three by McIntyre to pull within two points 43 to 41 with 16:46 remaining in the game.

The Owls scored six straight points to lead by eight before Houston's freshman post Cobilyn Hill scored four consecutive points in the paint followed by two free throws by McIntyre to once again pull the Lady Cougars within two (49 to 47).

Once again, the Owls responded and stretched the lead to eight (56 to 48) with 11:02 on the clock.

But, the Lady Cougars refused to go away. Three UH freshman led another charge. Point guard Jasmine Johnson scored a tough lay-up in the paint; forward Courtney Taylor converted a three point play; and Hill made two free throws to trim Rice's lead to one (56 to 55).

Lately, Hill is playing more relaxed.

"It's a big adjustment from high school; but, I just go out there and try to make things happen," said Hill after the game. "(Today) I went out there with the same intensity I give it every game; pray about it; and then just go out and give it all."

Hudson drained a three-point shot to put the Owls up 59 to 55.

The game would remain within four points until the final 14 seconds.

The Owls led 62 to 59 with 5:15 remaining before McIntyre drained a short jumper in the paint. Houston took its first lead (63 to 62) of the second half after a driving lay-up by senior forward Ryan Meyers.

Watts gave the Owls lead with a jump shot.

Then, fireworks!

Following a turnover by McIntyre, Rice was on the fast break. Watts passed the ball the Hudson; Hudson attacked the basket and was called for an offensive foul. Owls coach Greg Williams disagreed with the call -- to say the least. Coach Williams voiced his displeasure and was called for a technical foul with 70 seconds left in the game and his team clinging to a 64 to 63 lead.

McIntyre made both technical free throws to give the Lady Coogs a one point lead. Then, fifteen seconds later, Tye Jackson passed to a wide open Whitney James and James converted the lay-up to give UH a 67 to 64 lead with 55 seconds remaining.

Jackson finished the game a woeful 2 for 12 from the field; but, her pass to James to was a critical play. She finished with six points; four rebounds; and four assists.

"She did struggle at times today," said UH interim head coach Danny Hughes. "But, she did make a great play. That's what kids have to do -- when things don't go well, you just have to make plays for your team and I thought she did that late."

Morgan Mayse and Tara Watts each scored 14 points to lead four Owls in double figures. Brittney Hudson scored 12 points off the Owls' bench. Kadie Riverin scored 10 points; dished out five assists; and pulled down four rebounds.

McIntyre led Houston with 24 points (5 for 10 from the field and 12 for 13 from the foul line). Hill scored 16 points (5 for 11 and 6 for 7 from the free throw line). Courtney Taylor scored six points and grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds in only 23 minutes -- on a banged up right knee. Before the game, Taylor felt a pain in her knee; but, she gutted it out and played as long as she could. Taylor finished the game with ice wrapped around the knee.

"We played more of a 40 minute game," said Coach Williams. "A couple of our freshmen, Brittney Hudson and Morgan Mayse, both played well in consecutive conference games. That's encouraging. Tara snapped out of her shooting slump. Kadie was aggressive. Shyrelle Horne had great minutes. She had solid, solid minutes for us; and, she's playing hurt. She hasn't been able to practice. She can hardly lift her (right) arm. She had five assists in 15 minutes. Emery Carter looked a little more solid today. We played a tough team on the road and had a chance to win the basketball game. I'm very encouraged by that; and our best player -- Valeriya Berezhynska -- is sitting in street clothes (with a badly sprained ankle)."

Both teams head to the road for their next ball game. Rice travels to Hattiesburg, MS, to face Southern Miss Thursday evening while Houston faces UCF in Orlando, FL, on Thursday.