Coogs improve to 11-3 with win over Columbia

Posted: December 28, 2017 -- 9:30 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (H&PE Arena) -- The Houston Cougars overcame a sluggish defense to race passed the Columbia Lions 77-53 Thursday night inside H&PE Arena. Serithia Hawkins scored a game-high 19 points and led four Coogs in double-digit scoring. Jasmyne Harris narrowly missed a triple-double with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists (also 9 turnovers). Angela Harris added 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists; and, Dorian Branch scored 10 points; pulled down 2 boards; and handed out 2 dimes.

Final stats of Houston's 77-53 win over Columbia

"Hats off to a very good Columbia team. That team didn't play the way they normally play; and, I think we had something to do with that just from the pressure (defense)," said Houston Head Coach Ronald Hughey after the game.

"In the first half, we didn't get up and defend like we normally do. But, I'm proud of the group for turning it on when we needed to; getting stops; making key baskets; sharing the basketball; playing hard; and coming out with a win."

In the first quarter, Columbia (6-7) did a solid job executing the offense and getting numerous open shots. The Lions shot 44.4% (8 for 18) from the floor; but, most of the 10 misses were great looks at the basket.

As a result of the Coogs' less than stellar defense in the first quarter, Houston's offense carried them to a 23-17 lead after the first quarter. Houston (11-3) shot 58.8% (10 for 17) from the floor in the opening quarter.

Both teams struggled to make shots in the second quarter: Houston shot 27.8% (5 for 18) while Columbia shot 25.0% (3 for 12). The Coogs outscored the Lions 11-10 in the second period and led 34-27 at halftime.

Hawkins scored 14 points in the first half on 6 for 9 field goal shooting including 2 for 3 from three.

"First half was sluggish. At halftime, that's all we talked about. Just playing our pace and our tempo. Whatever we need to do to push that button or whatever you need to do team-wise to get going then that's what we need to do.

"We only had two traps the first half. Just the things we talked about. Getting relentless and taking more chances."

Jasmyne Harris echoed Coach Hughey's comments about the team's sluggish defense: "First half, like Coach Hughey said, we were just sluggish. I think, because we were coming back from Christmas break, we really just didn't have the energy that we needed to. And, then, coming out after halftime, we picked it up -- after we got chewed out -- we played the way we usually play."

Houston forced Columbia to commit 6 turnovers in the third quarter and limited the Lions to just 4 made baskets (11 attempts) in the quarter. Angela Harris, Jasmyne Harris, and Serithia Hawkins each scored 5 points in the third quarter to help the Coogs outscore the Lions 23-13 and lead 57-40 after three quarters.

Houston continued the pressure defense and Columbia turned over the ball 8 more times in the final quarter which led to 12 points by Houston. Houston committed 7 turnovers in the fourth period but many of them were unforced turnovers.

Hughey and the team knew Jasmyne Harris was close to a triple-double; and, on a few trips on offense, Jasmyne probably forced the issue which resulted in her committing 4 turnovers in the fourth quarter.

"We tried to get her (Jasmyne) to get it (the triple-double)," said Hughey. "But, she just pressed a little bit too much trying to get 1 more assist and a couple more rebounds; but, like she just told the girls in the locker room, 'I got two more years. I'll get one.' "

The win over the Lions gives Houston its 11th win of the season and matches the most wins in the non-conference season in program history since conference play began. The mark ties the 2003-04 team.

Houston’s 11-3 record, marks the best start since the 2004-05 team started 14-3 in a season that saw the Cougars make the NCAA Tournament.

Houston begins conference play in the American Athletic Conference Saturday, December 30, with a road game against SMU. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Jasmyne said defense will be the key to winning in conference.

"Defense. Defense. Defense. We're fourth in the nation in the steals. We just got to keep pushing that throughout the conference and just playing the way that we play and come prepared every game."

"We just have to get into the mentality of the first season is over; so, now, we're zero-zero going into conference," Hughey said. "Again, we got to go back out and prove ourselves to everybody else because we still have people that doubt us.

"But, we know that if we keep ourselves, our teammates, our trust, our responsibility and our dedication to each other, we'll be just fine."

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