Houston Roundball Review Archive: December 2006 Houston defeats Miami 82 to 73 at Hofheinz

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

The Houston Lady Cougars played their best game of the season (thus far) Tuesday night at Hofheinz Pavilion; and, the Miami Hurricanes witnessed the performance first hand. In a surprise to many in attendance (including yours truly) Houston defeated Miami 82 to 73 before an announced crowd of 645 fans.

In addition to the UH victory, the fans were also treated to a sensational scoring performance by Miami's 5-foot-2 Renee Taylor.

Miami started the game scoring the first seven points; but, the Lady Cougars regrouped and responded. UH tied the game at 13; and, Miami senior guard Renee Taylor scored 10 of her team's 13 points. Taylor was truly spectacular. She finished the first half with 16 points; but, she finished the game with a school-record 42 points.

Taylor's 42 points were also the most points scored in Hofheinz Pavilion by a Lady Cougars' opponent. Unfortunately for Renee and the Hurricanes, the rest of the team did not play nearly as well. Maurita Reid was the only other player to score in double figures for Miami. Reid scored 11.

After tying the game at 30, Houston surrendered seven straight points and trailed Miami 37 to 30 with 3:58 left in the first half. Miami did not score the rest of the half while UH finished the half scoring the final seven points to tie the game at 37 at the half.

Houston's Tye Jackson scored 12 first half points while teammate Sha'Ratta Hawkins added eight points. A total of eight Lady Cougars scored in the opening half.

Taylor scored Miami's first two points of the second half; however, Jackson tied the game at 39. Next, junior college transfer Whitney James put Houston ahead with a lay-up and a free throw to give the Lady Cougars a 42 to 39 lead at the 18:47 mark of the second half.

The Lady Cougars never trailed the rest of the game.

Houston's Sunshine Misa-Uli scored five points during a 7 to 2 run which helped the Lady Cougars stretch the lead to 49-41 with 16:03 left in the game. The more the Cougars scored, the more Renee Taylor would respond with points to help keep her team in the ball game.

Taylor pulled Miami within five points twice and four points once during a three and half minute stretch; but, Houston continued to pour on the offense. Houston scored seven straight points to take command and lead 68 to 57 with just 5:16 remaining in the game.

The Lady Cougars would increase the lead to 12 points (75 to 63) with 1:55 remaining. Houston dominated the boards and outrebounded Miami 52 to 37 for the game. However, Miami held a 24 to 23 rebounding advantage at the half.

Tye Jackson led Houston with 21 points; 10 rebounds; four assists and a team-high six assists; while Hawkins added 16 points and nine rebounds. Misa-Uli scored 12 points and pulled down nine boards. Junior guard Alona Obaze added 12 points.

Taylor made 13 of 24 shots from the field including a school record 7 made three-point attempts (on 12 tries).

After the game, The HRR spoke with Jackson, UH Head Coach Joe Curl, Miami Head Coach Katie Meier; and Renee Taylor.

Listen to their comments:

Tye Jackson: "...tired of losing..."

Joe Curl: "...envisioned our team..."

Katie Meier: "...lack of toughness..."

Renee Taylor: "...little things..."

Houston improves to 3 and 7 with the victory while Miami's record drops to 8 and 4.

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