Coogs defeat SMU in OT on basket by Dorian Branch

POSTED: February 2, 2019 -- 8:56 p.m. CST

HOUSTON, TX (Fertitta Center) -- The Houston Cougars improved to 11-10 overall and 5-3 in American Athletic Conference play with a 69-68 overtime win over intrastate rival SMU Saturday afternoon. Dorian Branch swished the game-winner with 5.5 seconds remaining.

"I'm happy Dorian Branch took the shot and made it," said Houston Head Coach Ronald Hughey after the game.

Despite 7 turnovers, Houston led SMU 21-13 at the end of the first quarter. Angela Harris scored 10 points in the opening quarter.

SMU (8-13 overall, 2-6 in AAC) turned around cold-shooting in the first quarter (5 for 16 field goals) with 6 for 10 field goal shooting in the second. In addition to the hot-shooting, the Mustangs out-rebounded the Coogs 11-2 and limited Houston to 8 points in the second period.

Houston trailed 30-29 at halftime.

SMU continued its dominance on the boards in the third quarter with a 15-7 edge and outscored Houston 12-1 in second-chance points. Houston trailed 48-41 after three quarters.

Houston scored the first 7 points in the fourth period to tie the game at 48. With both teams struggling to make baskets, the game stayed close in the period. The game was tied at 57 with 38.6 left in the 4th quarter. SMU had four chances to score in the final seconds; but, failed to score which sent the game to overtime.

Dorian Branch sank her fifth three-point shot of the game to begin overtime and give Houston a 60-57 lead. SMU scored the next four points to lead 61-60. Houston's Alyssa Okoene split two foul shots to tie the game at 61. SMU's Ariana Whitfield (from Houston, TX) swished a three-point shot to break the tie and put SMU on top 64-61.

Houston scored four consecutive points to move ahead 65-64; however, SMU responded with 4 straight points and led 68-65 with 1:09 left in overtime. On Houston's next possession, Okoene made a tough lay-up with to beat the shot clock and trim Houston's deficit to 1 (68-67) with 39 seconds remaining.

SMU's Kayla White missed a lay-up with 14 seconds remaining; and, Angela Harris pulled down the rebound. Houston called timeout with 11 seconds on the clock to set up a play and advance the ball into the frontcourt.

Coach Hughey said the final play was designed to bring SMU's 6'3" Alicia Froling away from the basket.

"We wanted to set a screen to where Alicia Froling would have to come up," Hughey said. "We wanted to put our best rebounder, Serithia Hawkins, in the paint and Alyssa Okoene out of the paint. I told Angela Harris she wasn't going to get all the way to the basket. They (SMU) were going to slide in hard; so, the next person had to show up. We've been trying to hit the pass-back all game; and, that's why Dorian Branch rose up and she was able to squeeze the ball to her."

Branch's go-ahead basket gave her 17 points on 6 for 14 fgs including 5 for 9 three-pointers). Branch added 4 boards and 2 assists -- in 40 minutes. Angela Harris scored 15 points; pulled down 4 rebounds and dished out 7 assists in 42 minutes. Octavia Barnes and Serithia Hawkins each scored 10 points.

NOTES:

Houston won the game despite committing 23 turnovers while SMU committed 18 turnovers. However, Houston scored 25 points off SMU's turnovers while SMU scored 14 points off Houston's miscues.

Houston was out-rebounded 47-37 in the game; and, SMU outscored Houston 36-18 in the paint.

"We're trying to do a few rebounding drills; and, some box out stuff," Hughey commented. "In the end, it's all about heart. Just like when Alyssa Okoene and Serithia Hawkins went and got those rebounds at the end of the game; they can get those during the game."

NEXT:

Houston's next game is Tuesday, February 5, on the road, against Temple. Tip is set for 11 a.m.

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