Houston loses 70-63 to Washington State to complete non-conference schedule

POSTED: December 21, 2022 -- 10:55 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Fertitta Center) -- In a matchup of Cougars, the Houston Cougars lost to the Washington State Cougars 70-63 Wednesday afternoon. Laila Blair led Houston (3-10 record) with 21 points. Britney Onyeje scored 15 points on 5 for 7 three-point shooting.

Onyeje broke out of a season-long slump with her 5 made threes. Onyeje entered the game shooting 19.6% on her three-point attempts and 23.1% overall. She had not made more than 2 three-pointers in a game prior to Wednesday's contest.

Houston led 17-12 after the first quarter thanks to Washington State's turning the ball over 8 times in the first 10 minutes. The tables turned in the 2nd quarter. Washington State (10-2) outscored Houston 16-4 in the second period. Houston committed 7 turnovers and made just 2 of 13 field goals in the 2nd quarter.

Houston trailed 28-21 at halftime.

Washington State blitzed Houston early in the third quarter with a 7-0 burst to lead 35-21 with more than 7 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Tiara Young stopped Houston's scoring drought with a three-point play. Tatyana Hill knocked down a face up jumper and Young followed with a layup for a quick 7-0 Houston run.

Washington State responded with another scoring run and outscored Houston 11-3 to lead 46-31 with 2 minutes left in the third quarter. Britney Onyeje sandwiched two made three-pointers around 2 made free throws by Houston guard Tae'lor Purvis as Houston finished the quarter with an 8-0 to trail 46-39 after three periods.

Onyeje hit her fourth and fifth 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter to help cut Houston's deficit to 52-49; however, Washington State's Johanna Teder swished a corner three-pointer to boost State's lead to 6 points. Houston did not get closer than 4 the final 6:44 of the game.

Teder's basket was her only made field goal in the ball game. She finished the game 1 for 7 from three and 1 for 8 overall.

Houston outscored Washington 22-18 in points off turnovers and 11-5 in second chance points. However, Washington State owned a 38-16 points in the paint advantage and an 18-15 edge in fast break points.

NEXT:

Houston's next game is Friday, December 30, against interstate rival SMU. The matchup is the AAC opener for both teams. Tip is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.

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