Dymond Gladney and Britney Onyeje help lead Houston over Auburn

POSTED: December 5, 2020 -- 9:46 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Fertitta Center) -- The Houston Cougars women's basketball team improved to 2 and 1 this season with a 71-61 home win over the Auburn Tigers. The game was part of the new American Athletic Conference / Southeastern Conference Alliance set up to pit teams from the two conferences against each other.

"Everybody talks about being good; but, we've got to move the needle to being great," Houston Head Coach Ronald Hughey said after the game. "We want to get that and be consistent with it. I thought we made a huge step in that direction today."

Houston's Britney Onyeje nailed a three point to put Houston on top 3-0. Houston never trailed in the ball game.

The Cougars led Auburn 22-9 at the end of the first quarter and 34-17 at halftime.

Houston had only 1 turnover in the first quarter; however, the Coogs forced Auburn into 10 turnovers in the opening quarter.

Houston junior guard Dymond Gladney scored 11 of her team-high 18 points in the first half to lead Houston.

Auburn senior forward Unique Thompson showed why she is one of the top players in the SEC and in women's college basketball with 26 points and 23 rebounds in 32 minutes. Thompson did have 7 of Auburn's 23 turnovers; but, Houston head coach Ronald Hughey believes she could be the best player Houston faces this season.

"It's going to be pretty close," Coach Hughey said after the game about Thompson. "And, the thing I love about her is that she's efficient. She's not trying to be a post player that wants to shoot threes. She knows her bread and butter is around the rim and rebounding; and, that's what she lives with.

"She is definitely one of the best post players that we'll face and might be the best."

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Auburn outscored Houston 23-20 in the third quarter thanks to Houston's 7 turnovers which Auburn converted into 11 points.

Houston led 56-40 early in the fourth quarter then went scoreless for 4 minutes; however, Onyeje swished a corner three-point shot to stretch Houston's lead to 59-48 with 5:07 on the clock. Onyeje finished the game 5 for 9 from the three-point line.

"I just have to thank God because he's given me more and more confidence and also my teammates because they tell me to keep shooting", Onyeje said after the game. "Even when I miss a shot or put my head down, they tell me keep shooting. It's all my teammates who build my confidence."

Auburn scored 5 straight points to climb within six (59-53) with 4:18 remaining in the game.

Houston's Daphane White scored layup for a 61-53 lead; but, Unique Thompson answered with a layup. Next, White was fouled; and, she knocked down both free throws for a 63-55 Houston lead with 2:50 remaining.

White made all 4 of her foul shots in the game.

"She never faced a Unique Thompson in juco (junior college)," Coach Hughey said of White. "And, I'm really proud of her. 6'5" kids that make free throws down the stretch with everybody glaring at you. I was really excited for her to have some success doing that."

Auburn got within 6 points one more time; but, Dymond Gladney sealed Houston's win with a layup and 2 made free throws in the final 43 seconds.

Houston's win over Auburn combined with the season-opening win over Oklahoma marks the first time since the 2010-11 season that Houston has defeated two major conference teams in nonconference play.

"It's just the beginning," Gladney said after the game about 2 wins this season over Power 5 teams. "It's just the beginning."

Houston's balanced scoring was a key to the win. In addition to Gladney's team-high 18 points, Onyeje scored 15 points and White added 10 points and 7 rebounds off the bench. Junior center Tatyana Hill and redshirt-sophomore Miya Crump each scored 8 points.

NEXT:

Houston's next game is scheduled for Friday, December 11, versus Stephen F. Austin, inside the Fertitta Center. Tip is set for 6:30 p.m.

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