Cougars find a way to defeat Memphis

23 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists for senior Porsche Landry

Posted: January 10, 2013 -- 10:32 p.m. CT.

HOUSTON, TX (Hofheinz Pavilion) -- The Houston Cougars began their final (?) conference season in Conference USA (this version, anyway) with a gutsy 77-74 win over the Memphis Tigers Thursday night in front of an announced crowd of 404 fans.

Both teams played hard.

Both teams missed numerous layups.

The Cougars (7-7 overall, 1-0 in Conference USA) led the Tigers (9-6, 0-1) 36-35 at halftime. The two teams combined to miss 19 layups in the first half. The Tigers collected 18 offensive rebounds in the first 20 minutes while the Coogs snared 13 offensive boards.

The game was tight for much of the second half - six ties (11 ties overall in the game).

Memphis senior Nicole Dickson scored a layup to put the Tigers up 65-64 with 2:13 remaining in the game. Houston junior post Yasmeen Thompson rebounded her own missed layup and scored to put the Coogs ahead 66-65. Thompson was fouled on the layup; but, she missed the foul shot. However, teammate Te'onna Campbell tipped in the loose ball for a three-point (68-65) lead for the Coogs with 3:50 remaining.

Landry dished to Amerson for a lay-up to increase the lead to 70-65; but, Dickson sank a jump shot to slice the lead to three (70-67) with 2:47 left. Then, Landry dished to Campbell for a basket.

Houston freshman guard Alecia Smith made two free throws for a 75-67 lead; but, Tigers' guard, Ariel Hearn, converted a three-point play with just 91 seconds left.

Landry split two free throws with 53 seconds remaining; but, on their end of the court, Hearn was fouled and sank two free throws for a 76-72 Cougars' lead with 39 seconds remaining.

Amerson split two foul shots before Hearn nailed a jump shot to make the score 77-74 with 21 seconds left on the clock.

Te'onna Campbell had a chance to the ice the game; but, she missed a layup (of course); and the Tigers received the loose ball with 5 seconds left. Hearn missed her three-point shot attempt; but, teammate Asianna Fuqua-Bey rebounded the miss; however, the Tigers failed to attempt a shot in the final seconds; and, the Coogs picked up conference win number one in their final season in Conference USA.

Landry finished the game with 23 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Amerson added 20 points and eight rebounds. Alecia Smith chipped in 13 points. Thompson pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.


The Cougars' next two games are on the road. First up, is a Sunday, January 13th game against UAB followed by a January 20th game at Marshall.