Houston Cougars 74, Alabama 83. Coogs lose home opener

Posted: November 13, 2012 -- 11:54 p.m. CT.

HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- The Houston Cougars missed 12 free throws and committed 27 turnovers Tuesday night; but, unlike last season, the Cougars still had a chance to win the ball game. However, the Alabama Crimson Tide did just enough to earn a hard fought 83-74 victory over the Cougars in front a very loud crowd of 560 fans gathered inside Hofheinz Pavilion.

The Tide (2-0) dominated the offensive glass early in the first half which was a good thing for them because they missed numerous field goal attempts. Alabama missed 18 field goals but pulled down 10 offensive rebounds to lead 17-12 with 11:11 remaining in the first half. On the other hand, the Coogs (0-2) had turned the ball over nine times; but, they were still in the ball game.

Houston freshmen point guard Alecia Smith scored four points during a mini 6-0 run by the Cougars to take an 18-17 lead; but, seconds later, Alabama's Daisha simmons canned a jump shot to give the Tide a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the ball game.

When Houston senior point guard Porsche Landry picked up her 2nd foul in the first half, she went to the bench and sat the final 6:43 of the half. Alabama quickly took advantage of her absence and jumped to a 35-25 lead. However, freshmen Marche Amerson and Jessieka Palmer scored four points; and, Marissa Ashton scored a layup after an offensive rebounds to trim Houston's deficit to four points (35-31) with 3:16 remaining til halftime.

Despite 16 first half turnovers, the Cougars trailed by just six points (39-33) at the half.

The Cougars crept within five points two times early in the second half; but, Alabama's Simmons drained a three-point shot to keep the Coogs at arms' length. Kaneisha Horn scored a layup to increase the lead to ten points. From the 15 minute mark of the second half to the 10 minute mark of the half, Alabama led by ten points five times and the Coogs pulled within six or seven points each time.

However, the Coogs continued to not grab a loose ball or failed to make free throws until a brief spurt by newcomers Palmer, Yasmeen Thompson and Te'onna Campbell pulled the Coogs within four points (63-59) with 8:30 remaining in the game.

Unfortunately, after failing to grab yet another loose ball, Alabama guard Shafontaye Myers swished a three-point shot and was fouled. Myers made the free throw for a rare four-point play to increase Alabama's lead to 67-59 with 8:02 remaining.

The Cougars would get no closer than six points the rest of the game.

Palmer finished the game with a team-high 19 points (8 for 19 from the field). Yasmeen Thompson pulled down 17 boards. Porsche Landry scored 13 points on 5 for 10 field goal shooting; but, Landry committed a game-high nine turnovers. Landry also fouled out in only 19 minutes of action.


Daisha Simmons led Alabama with 22 points (6 for 15 from the field).

Neither team shot the ball well: Alabama made only 25 of 85 field goal attempts (29.4%) while the Coogs shot 38.7% (29 for 75 from the floor). The Cougars won the rebounding battle 61 to 59. Both teams struggled mightily keeping each other off the offensive boards: Alabama grabbed 32 offensive rebounds while the Cougars pulled down 26 offensive rebounds.

The second half featured 37 fouls called. The Coogs made only 15 of 27 from the foul line.

The Cougars will attempt to earn victory number one this Saturday, November 17, on the road at Yale. Tip is set for 6pm.