Houston Cougars now 2-3 after 64-57 loss to Boston College

November 18, 2018 -- 6:29 p.m. CST

The Houston Cougars' offense struggled Sunday afternoon in a 64-57 loss to the Boston College Eagles; however, it was Houston's inability to clear the defensive boards down the stretch which doomed the Coogs' chances.

The Coogs (2-3) trailed 59-56 with 1:13 left in the game when Boston College freshman Taylor Soule when to the free throw line for two shots. Soule missed both shots; however, the Coogs failed the grabbed the rebound of the second miss and BC's Georgia Pineau scored the putback to increase the Eagles' lead to 61-56 with 73 seconds remaining.

Houston only scored one point the rest of the game.

The Coogs outrebounded the Eagles 44-43; however, the Eagles outrebounded the Coogs 16-9 in the final period.

"The tougher team won today," said frustrated Houston Cougars Head Coach Ronald Hughey after the game. "We weren't tough. We outrebounded them by one; but, we gave them consecutive offensive rebounds (in the final minutes of the game). They had 22 offensive rebounds. That's where the game was won. The tougher team won today; and, we weren't the tougher team."

In addition to Houston's poor rebounding, the Coogs did not make a field goal the 3:55 of the game.

With 5:52 remaining in the game, Houston's Jasmyne Harris fouled out. She finished the game with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 7 turnovers. At the time, Houston trailed 52-49.

Houston shot an icy 22.2% (4 for 18) in the final 10 minutes of the game. Houston made just 1 of 11 three-point attempts in the fourth. For the game, the Coogs shot 16.7% (4 for 24) from three-point range.

Houston trailed 12-11 at the end of the first period and 33-25 at halftime. The Coogs trailed 37-25 early in the third quarter before a 14-2 run put the Coogs on top 41-39 with 2:10 remaining in the third.

The game was tied at 44 heading to the fourth quarter. The Eagles won the fourth quarter 20-13 to earn the victory.

Houston senior Serithia Hawkins led the Coogs with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 turnovers. Hawkins was one of two Coogs to make 50% of her shots in today's game. Hawkins made 8 of her 16 field goal attempts; and, teammate Octavia Barnes made 1 of her 2 field goal attempts. The rest of the team combined to make 14 of 49 shots (28.6%).

Coach Hughey said he liked the shots his team took versus BC; however, Hughey says his players were not focused.

"The shots we normally make; but, when you're not focused, they're not going to go down," Hughey said. "Basketball is a game that you have to play with rhythm; play with love. You can't disrespect the game. You can't come out and think that you can be on another page than your teammates or not put the work in and get those shots to go down. Or else it's going to tease you like they did today -- go halfway down and come right back out."

Angela Harris scored 13 points.

Houston committed 24 turnovers in the game while Boston College committed 26 turnovers.

NEXT

Houston's next game is Wednesday, November 21, on the road in New York City, versus Columbia. Tip is set for 1 p.m.

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