Coogs pull away from UCF and win on UH Senior Day

Danielle Parks' 24 points led the Coogs

Posted: February 26, 2012 -- 5:52 p.m. CT.

HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- The Houston Cougars played their most complete basketball game of the season Sunday afternoon on Senior Day and earned a solid 66-53 victory over the UCF Knights. Houston's Roxana Button and Michelle White end their UH basketball careers with a win on their home floor.

Button and White can thank freshman Danielle Parks for helping with the victory. Parks made 8 of 14 field goal attempts (4 for 6 on threes) and 4 for 4 from the foul line to score a career-high 24 points in the game.

After the game, Parks said winning today was important because it was Senior Day.

"I wanted it for them. I wanted them to know how it feels to win their last game on their home court. They, and we, needed this win."

The Cougars (3-24 overall, 2-13 in Conference USA) trailed the Knights 7 to 2 before Parks and Button combined to score 20 of the team's next 22 points in a 12 minute stretch.

The Coogs took a 30-27 lead into halftime. Parks scored 12 points. Button scored 11.

UCF (12-15, 7-8) led the Coogs 41-38 with 11:45 remaining in the second half; and, momentum seemed to have shifted to UCF. However, Parks made a short jump shot to trim the deficit to one point; and, fellow freshman Voche' Martin scored a layup (from a pass by Button). Parks then drained her third three-point shot of the game to cap off a 7-0 mini-run.

After UCF's Aisha Jumper converted a three-point play, Parks nailed her fourth three-point shot to put the Coogs up 50-44. The Knights got no closer the rest of the game.

The Cougars shot 13 for 23 from the floor in the second half and finished the game making 24 of 50 field goals. The Coogs' defense limited the Knights to 10 for 30 in the second half and 21 for 64 for the ball game.

"I'm so proud of Danielle," Button said. "I'm proud of the team. I wish we could have done it earlier (in the season); but, better late than never."

"I really, really wanted to get the win for them today," Todd Buchanan, UH head coach said. "Central Florida is a heckuva good ball club. They have a lot of talent. They have a lot of athleticism; and, for us to be able to do what we were able to do today, collectively. Collectively. As a team, we played as a team for the first time in a long time."

Buchanan added, "Today, everybody played their role. Everybody played with that sense of urgency; and, some sense of confidence. Previously, we kind of put our head down and not played very inspired basketball. Today, we played inspired."

"I don't think I can express in words how it feels to get a win," Button said. "But, it's kind of bittersweet. It's great to get a win; but, it's my last game on that court. It's kind of sad."

Michelle White added, "I'm just proud that my team played with us. We showed up. We all gave effort. We all fought to the end."

The Cougars will try to put together a second consecutive good effort Thursday, March 1, on the road against Tulane. Tip is set for 7 pm.

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