Coogs Steal Win from SMU

HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Cougars played poorly Friday night versus the SMU Mustangs; but, someway, somehow, the Cougars found a way to come from behind to defeat SMU 75 to 73 before 509 fans inside Hofheinz Pavilion.

Houston's Courtney Taylor was a HUGE part of that "someway, somehow". Taylor finished the game with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 steals to barely miss producing the fourth triple-double in UH women's basketball history.

Taylor was truly spectacular; however, despite Taylor's marvelous performance, UH trailed the Mustangs 41 to 33 at halftime. Houston's first half defense was atrocious.

"No, it was the poorest defense you've seen us play," said UH head coach Joe Curl. "Let's hope it's the last time that you see that defense. I felt we were lackadaisacal on both ends of the court. If you're going to be lackadaisacal it better be on the offensive end and not the defensive end. It was the poorest defense we've played all year."

Taylor's spectacular night started with 13 points, six rebounds, and six steals in 15 minutes of first half action. Despite Taylor's gawdy numbers, UH still trailed 31 to 25 with 2:57 remaining in the first half. SMU carved up Houston's defense by making 14 of their last 21 shots over the final 8:03 of the half.

Mustangs' forward Brittany Gilliam capped off the first half by draining a three-point basket at the buzzer for the 41 to 33 lead.

"I don't know why we started so slow," said Taylor after the game. "I think getting over that hump was the hardest part of the basketball game."

In the second half, SMU answered each run by the Cougars until the final 4:37 of the ball game. Trailing the Mustangs 68 to 61, Houston center Cobilyn Hill swished two free throws to begin the remarkable comeback. Ashlee' Joseph made a short jumper and cannned two more foul shots to pull Houston within one point (68 to 67) with 3:01 on the clock.

Then, Taylor picked up her eighth steal of the game and dribbled down the court and converted a lay-up to give UH a 69 to 68 lead with 2:08 remaining. UH's lead lasted all of 33 seconds when SMU's Jillian Samuels swished a 25-foot three-point shot to give the Mustangs a 71 to 69 lead with 95 seconds left in the game.

UH freshman point guard Porsche Landry split two foul shots to trim the deficit to one (71 to 70). Next, SMU's Delisha Wills scored a tough lay-up over Joseph and drew a foul for a three-point play opportunity. However, Wills missed the free throw; so, UH trailed 73 to 70 with just 51 seconds in the game. Landry drove the floor and scored a lay-up in nine seconds; then, Taylor picked up her ninth steal and dribbled the length of the court and scored to put Houston ahead 74 to 73 with 23 seconds on the clock.

"I'm glad we won that game," said Taylor. "That was, I think, the hardest game I've probably played." 

With five seconds remaining, Houston's defense forced another turnover by the Mustangs; and, Landry split two foul shots after getting fouled.

The Mustangs' final possession resulted in a bad inbound pass which Houston's Brittney Scott picked up to seal the dramatic victory.

Scott finished the game with 14 points. Landry scored 11 and Roxana Button poured in 12 points off the bench.

Houston's record improves to 17 and 8 overall and 9 and 4 in Conference USA. SMU's record falls to 16 and 10 overall and also 9 and 4 in C-USA.

Taylor did not realize how many steals she had in the ball game until she was told after the game.

"I didn't (realize it). That breaks my heart. That's nine. I was one away. (sighs)"

"In the thirty years I've coached," said Coach Curl. "It's one of those games we won that I don't know how we won; but, we're tied for second place and that's all that matters."

Coach Curl has no concerns about his team having a let down Sunday afternoon versus Tulsa.

"I'll be quite honest with you," said Coach Curl. "There's no way in Hell that we can have a let down. There's no way we can have a letdown with what's on the line (first place in C-USA or at the least a first-round bye in the C-USA Tournament). We've coached them and taught them that every game is equally as important. We're tied for second. To have a letdown right now would be absolutely unacceptable; and, I can tell you right now, Courtney Taylor won't let them have a letdown because she'll say something when we walk out of the locker room (Sunday afternoon) that will make a bigger difference than what we say in the locker room. It comes down to players."

Taylor agreed. "We're right there (one game out of first place). I'm doing everything in my power to keep us motivated. Everybody knows it. That was the main focus at halftime in the locker room - 'Do you realize how close we are to first place?' I think everybody finally got it in the last three minutes of the game and we were able to pull it out at the end of the ball game."

Sunday's game versus Tulsa tips off at 2 p.m.