The Houston Roundball Review is an online basketball publication
by: Kris Gardner, United States Basketball Writers Association member. Credentialed media member since 1997. USBWA approved online journalist. Voter of Katrina McClain, Naismith, USBWA, and Wooden awards.

Houston Roundball Review Archive: February 2007 - UTEP uses big scoring run to beat Lady Cougars

Saturday, February 3, 2007

The Houston Lady Cougars picked the wrong time of a ball game to play poor basketball.

Houston (7-13, 4-6) led the Texas-El Paso Miners (17-4, 7-3) 54 to 45 with about seven and half minutes left in the ball game; however, the Lady Cougars were outscored 26 to 9 the rest of the game to lose to the Miners 69 to 61.

UTEP's Jareica Hughes, 5'3, freshman point guard, led the Miners with 20 points including nine points down the stretch.

Hughes did not play in UTEP's 84 to 31 blowout loss to the Rice Owls two days ago due to a sore left shoulder; so, her importance to UTEP's success became very clear today.

Hughes blew past Houston defenders whenever she wanted. Ironically, she went left practically every time; but, Houston failed to make the necessary defensive adjustments.

UH’s inability to hit shots, going 2-11 with five turnovers in the last eight minutes allowed UTEP to take the win.

For the game, the Cougars were 20-53 (.377) and 3-12 (.250) from behind the three-point line.

After not taking a free throw in the first half, UTEP was 16-22 from the stripe in the second half, including a 9-12 mark in the games final 70 seconds.

Houston finished 18-25 from the line.

After six-straight games inside the Houston beltway, the Cougars head on the road for a season-long four-game trip.

The trek begins next weekend with games Friday at UCF and Sunday at Southern Miss. Tipoffs are scheduled for 6 p.m. CST and 2 p.m., respectively.

Houston Cougars head coach Joe Curl after the game: "...especially disappointed in the last five, six minutes..."

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