Houston loses close one to UTA, 67-64

POSTED: December 2, 2022 -- 8:55 a.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Fertitta Center) -- The Houston Cougars women's basketball team came to close to ending its losing streak Thursday night; unfortunately, Houston lost 67-64 at home to UT-Arlington to fall to 1-6 this season. Missed free throws hurt the Coogs in the loss. Houston shot 12 for 25 from the foul line in the ball game.

Houston has lost 4 consecutive non-conference games for the second time under Head Coach Ronald Hughey.

"The thing that jumps out to me, on the stat sheet, in a three-point loss, you go 12 for 25 from the free throw line," Coach Hughey said after the game. "You go 12 for 25 with some of your best players shooting them."

UTA (4-4) raced to a 10-0 lead to start the game; but, Houston battled to within 4 (13-9) to end the quarter. Houston guard De'Myla Brown swished a three-pointer to end the opening quarter to pull the Coogs within 4.

The Coogs trailed 30-29 at halftime. Houston made 8 of 15 field goal attempts in the 2nd quarter but just 2 for 6 from the foul line.

Houston shot 50.0 fg% in the third quarter (7 of 14); however, Houston turned over the ball 7 times in the quarter which helped UTA lead by as much as 12 (49-37) in the third quarter. Houston trailed 54-45 after three periods.

Houston trailed 60-50 with 5:35 remaining in the 4th period; but, Houston refused to go away and scored 8 straight points with baskets from Tatyana Hill, Laila Blair Britney Onyeje and 1 free throw from Tiara Young.

The Coogs were behind 62-58 when Hill missed 2 foul shots; however, Houston crashed the boards and, after three offensive rebounds, Hill scored a put back layup and was fouled. This time, Hill made the free throw. Houston trailed 62-61 with 50 seconds left in the game.

UTA called timeout; and, after the timeout, guard Kayla White sank a jump shot for a 64-61 UTA lead. Laila Blair was fouled but split the free throws. Houston was forced to foul. UTA's Taleyah Jones split her 2 foul shots.

Houston called timeout with 21 seconds on the clock and trailing by 3 (65-62). After the timeout, Tiara Young scored a driving layup to slice Houston's deficit to 65-64 with 17 seconds on the clock. Houston fouled UTA's Kayla White. White went to the line and made both foul shots.

The Coogs were out of times out; but, Britney Onyeje got a good look for a game-tying three-point shot. The shot missed and UTA pulled down the defensive rebound to seal the defeat for the Coogs.

Tiara Young scored 21 points to lead Houston. Laila Blair was next with 14 points. De'Myla Brown scored 12 and Tatyana Hill added 11 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Young and Brown helped Houston outscore UTA's bench 33-14. However, Young (5 for 10) and Brown (2 for 6) combined to miss 9 of the team's 13 free throw attempts.

Both teams scored 15 points off turnovers and 34 points in the paint.

The game was evenly matched -- except at the foul line. UTA missed 8 free throws (14 for 22) while Houston missed 13 (12 for 25). Five more missed free throws in a 3 point loss.

Houston's losing streak and the tough start to the season is taking a toll on the players. Players are trying so hard to end their individual struggles the team is suffering.

"Everybody wants to do their job so bad," Coach Hughey remarked. "They're not doing it together. We just got to get everybody on the same page going at the same time."

NEXT:

Houston's next game is scheduled for Sunday, December 4, on the road, against the Kansas State Wildcats. Tip is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.

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