Houston Cougars edge Southeastern Louisiana, 83-80

Posted: November 13, 2016 -- 8:25 pm CDT.

HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- The Houston Cougars began the 2016-'17 season with a hard fought 83-80 win over Southeastern Louisiana Sunday afternoon in front of an announced crowd of 1,411. The Coogs were led by freshman guard Angela Harris' 22 points in 26 minutes. Senior post player Jacqueline Blake scored 15 points in 16 minutes. Both players came off the bench to produce those points. The  Coogs' bench scored 48 of the team's 83 points.

Angela Harris picked up 3 fouls in the first quarter; but, Houston led 27-17 after the first ten minutes and led 34-18 with 8:01 remaining in the second quarter.

Then, the wheels fell off.

The Coogs (1-0) went scoreless for six minutes which helped the Lady Lions finish the half with a 23-3 run to lead 41-37 at halftime.

Halftime: @UHCougarWBB trails Southeastern Louisiana 41-37. Coogs 4/20 fgs in 2nd qtr. Lady Lions 9/14. Last 7:17 of qtr, 23-3 run by SELA.

— Kris M Gardner (@TheHRReview) November 13, 2016

Angela drained 3 three-pointers early in the third quarter to give the Coogs a 46-45 lead. The game went back-and-forth for the rest of the third quarter. Harris nailed a tough step-back jump shot to beat the third quarter buzzer.

The Coogs trailed 61-60 at the end of the third period.

With 8:23 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Coogs trailed 66-63. But, Angela Harris and Jacqueline Blake each scored to put the Cougars ahead 67-66.

Southeastern's Taylin Underwood split two free throws to tie the game at 67 with 6:35 on the game clock.

Neither team scored during the next 30 seconds before SELA's Taz Stinson split two free throws.

Houston junior Chyanne Butler converted a steal into a transition lay-up for a 69-68 lead with 5:31 remaining.

The teams traded baskets for two minutes; but, after Butler sank two free throws, another Houston freshman, Jasmyne Harris, sank two free throws for a 75-72 Houston lead with 2:55 on the clock.

The Lady Lions (0-2) missed two shots; Angela Harris and Butler each missed a field goal attempt; however, after another opportunity, Angela Harris nailed her fourth three-pointer of the game to put the Coogs ahead 78-72 with 2:07 remaining.

Neither team scored the next 60 seconds; but, with an 80-74 lead with 1:04 remaining, Houston picked up two bad fouls and turned the ball over twice to keep the Lady Lions in the ball game.

Clinging to an 80-78 lead with 16 seconds remaining, Houston's Kierra Graves scored a lay-up as Houston defeated the Lady Lions' trapping defense. However, Butler committed a foul with 10 seconds on the clock and SELA's Tyler Morrison made both free throws for an 82-80 Coogs' lead.

Graves was fouled with 8 seconds remaining. She made the first free throws; but, she missed the second attempt. Jasmyne Harris pulled down the rebound and was fouled with 4 seconds remaining.

Jasmyne missed the first free throw and Southeastern Louisiana called timeout. Jasmyne missed the second foul shot; but, Tyler Morrison's desperation three-point shot fell well short to give the Cougars the 83-80 victory.

In addition to her team-high 22 points, Angela Harris dished out five assists. Chyanne Butler scored 13 points (6 for 18 field goals) and dished out a team-high 6 assists. Butler also committed 7 of the team's 18 turnovers.

Sophomore Serithia Hawkins pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds for the Coogs.

Houston's next game is Tuesday, November 15, on the road against UNLV. Tip is set for 8 pm.

CLICK HERE for The HRR's NCAAW write-ups.