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.

Contact Kris Gardner for details pertaining to advertising on the website; the blogs; and / or the podcasts.

Coogs never trail in 85-69 win over Oklahoma

UPDATED: November 24, 2019 -- 8:57 a.m. CT

POSTED: November 23, 2019 -- 9:02 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Fertitta Center) -- The Houston Cougars improved to 3-2 this season with a dominant 85-69 win over the Oklahoma Sooners inside the Fertitta Center Saturday afternoon. Houston began the game with a 9-0 run. Oklahoma tied the game at 9; however, once Houston senior guard Jasmyne Harris made two free throws for an 11-9 lead, Houston never trailed the rest of the ball game.

Houston led 28-16 at the end of the first quarter and 40-35 at halftime. Oklahoma (4-1) pulled within 40-37 early in the third quarter; however, Houston outscored Oklahoma 22-5 during the next 8 minutes to lead 62-42.

Oklahoma ended the third quarter with an 8-1 run to trim Houston's lead to 63-50 after three quarters.

Oklahoma junior guard Ana Llanusa scored the first two points in the fourth quarter; but, Houston junior guard Julia Blackshell-Fair converted a three-point play which began a 9-0 run for a 72-52 Houston; and, the Coogs cruised to the win in the final 6:46 of the game.

Blackshell-Fair scored 14 points on 6 of 9 field goal shooting. She also added 9 rebounds and 3 assists.

Seniors Dorian Branch and Jasmyne Harris also scored 14 points. Branch added 7 boards and 4 assists while Harris chipped in 2 rebounds and 2 assists.

Sophomore post Tatyana Hill had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Freshman forward Bria Patterson scored 10 points and pulled down 4 rebounds.

Junior forward Maya Jones added 9 points and 9 boards while sophomore point guard Dymond Gladney scored 9 points and pulled down 5 rebounds.

Rebounding was the theme of the ball game. Houston out-rebounded Oklahoma 57-41 including an astonishing 30-19 on the offensive glass. Houston outscored Oklahoma 24-11 in second chance points.


SUPPORT The Houston Roundball Review:

Purchase your Coogs' gear at Fanatics.com via this link;

Get ESPN+ via this link;

Save when you get the Disney bundle (ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu) with this link;

OR, contribute via PayPal or the Cash App.


"You cannot beat anyone giving up 30 offensive rebounds and turning the ball over 27 times," said Sherri Coale, Oklahoma Head Coach after the game.

Houston scored 25 points off Oklahoma's turnovers.

"We knew they were going to pressure us," Coale added. "We knew they were going to violently attack the glass; so, that's not a surprise."

Houston picked up its second win over a Big 12 opponent under Head Coach Ronald Hughey, and its second in the past three seasons since defeating Texas Tech during the 2017-18 season.

Houston's next game is Thursday, November 28, at 7 p.m., vs Syracuse in the opening round of the 2019 Greater Victoria Invitational in British Columbia. The 3-day tournament will be streamed on FloHoops.com.

CLICK HERE for The HRR's Houston Cougars' women's hoops write-ups.

Click to Support The HRR

The HRR on Twitter

The HRR on Facebook