Cougars hold off Southern Miss, 81-70

Posted: January 24, 2013 -- 11:17 p.m. CT.

HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- The Houston Cougars raced to a 19 point lead mid-way through the second-half; then, the lead shrunk to six points; but, unlike earlier in this season, the Coogs maintained their composure and picked up an 81-70 victory over the Southern Miss Lady Eagles in front of an announced crowd of 369 people.

The Cougars (9-8 overall, 3-1 Conference USA) led 38-28 at halftime thanks to efficient and effective offense. The Coogs shot 48.3% (14 for 29 field goals) in the first half. Seven of the baskets came from assists.

The Lady Eagles (10-8, 2-3) scored five of the first 7 points to begin the second half before senior Marissa Ashton banked in a three-point shot from near the top of the key. Ashton's bank shot began a 15-3 Coogs' run over the next five minutes. The Coogs led 55-36 with 12:19 on the game clock.

Porsche Landry sank two free throws for a 57-39 lead; but, the Lady Eagles responded with a 9-0 run in 76 seconds to cut Houston's lead in half.

Two freshmen, Jessieka Palmer and Tyler Gilbert, sank three of four free throws to boost the lead back to 12 (60-48); but, Southern Miss' Tanecka Carey nailed back-to-back three point shots to trim the Coogs' lead to 60-54 with 9:27 remaining in the game.

Landry made two more free throws which began a 6-0 run; but, Southern Miss went on a 10-3 run to pull within five points (69-64) with plenty of time (3:53) left.

Freshman Marche' Amerson scored a layup; and, after Southern Miss' Jamierra Faulkner split two free throws, Houston's Yasmeen Thompson scored five points for a 76-65 Coogs' lead with 2:31 on the clock.

With 2:06 remaining, Carey drained her fifth three-point shot of the game (out of 12 attempts); but, Southern Miss did not make a field for two minutes as the Coogs pulled away down the stretch for the win.

Porsche Landry scored 17 points (5 for 17 field goals) and dished out a game-high 9 assists. Te'onna Campbell played her usual all-around game with 15 points, nine rebounds, 3 steals, 1 blocked shot and 1 assist. Amerson finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocked shots. Ashton scored 12 points and pulled down five rebounds off the bench.

The Coogs missed 13 free throws including nine (13 for 22) in the second half.


Houston's next game is Sunday afternoon, January 27, at 2pm, at home versus UTEP.