Gladney and Hill lead Houston over ECU 72-63

POSTED: January 19, 2020 -- 9:20 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Fertitta Center) -- The Houston Cougars bounced back from a big loss to the UConn Huskies 8 days ago to defeat the ECU Pirates 72-63 Sunday afternoon. Houston improved to 9-9 overall and 2-2 in the American Athletic Conference.

The Coogs trailed ECU 4-2 before running off a 12-2 spurt to lead 14-6. ECU made two 3-point baskets to finish the quarter. Houston led 14-12 after 10 minutes of action.

Houston struggled to hold onto the ball in the second quarter and committed 10 turnovers. ECU (3-14 overall, 0-4) didn't do a great job maximizing the numerous chances to score of Houston's miscues; however, ECU did score 10 points off the 10 turnovers.

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Houston trailed 31-28 at halftime. Houston's deficit grew to 8 points on two occasions in the third quarter; however, Houston went on an 11-2 run to lead 43-42 with 3:53 to go in the third quarter.

ECU went ahead 44-43; but, Houston sophomore Tatyana Hill converted a 3-point play and added 1 more free throw to score 4 of Houston's 8 points during an 8-0 run to give Houston a 51-44 lead with 52 seconds left in the third period.

Houston led 52-48 after three quarters. Both teams cut down turnovers and made shots in the 3rd: Houston made 9 of 15 field goal attempts with only 3 turnovers. ECU made 8 of 15 field goals and also had only 3 turnovers.

Tatyana Hill scored the first 4 points of the fourth quarter which forced ECU to call timeout. Then, after the timeout, Houston's Dymond Gladney nailed a three-point shot for a 59-48 Houston lead with 7:36 on the clock.

Houston did not score the next two minutes; and, ECU scored straight points to pull within 5 (59-54). Houston senior Dorian Branch ended Houston's scoring drought with a big three-point basket to push the lead to 8.

Houston increased the lead to 10 before ECU scored 4 in a row; however, freshman Bria Patterson made a three-point shot with 72 seconds remaining to put the game away.

Dymond Gladney scored a career-high 22 points while Tatyana Hill also scored 22 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. Houston outrebounded ECU 40-24.

Houston's next game his Wednesday, January 22, at 6 p.m., on the road, to face the Cincinnati Bearcats. ESPN3 will stream the game.

NOTES:

Today's game was part of Houston Women's Basketball's Alumni Weekend which meant former UH women's basketball players returned to campus. Players from the 1970s to the 2010s attended the game. Houston Head Coach Ronald Hughey implemented the Alumni Weekend when he became head coach at Houston. The alumni turnout has improved each year.

UH basketball alums who were at the game included members of Houston's 2003-'04 squad: Keke Harris, Chandi Jones, Amanda Barksdale Lyttle, Sancho Lyttle, and Nicole Oliver. The 2003-'04 advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament and finished the season with a 28-4 record.

"We want to be able to show you all the pride and dedication," Hughey said after the game. "And, all the remembrance of who you were while you're still here. While you're still here, you can still come around because they need to see that shining example."

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