Houston trounces Tulane, 82-36; Laila Blair scores 1000th point in her UH career

POSTED: January 29, 2023 -- 10:50 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Fertitta Center) -- The Houston Cougars women's basketball team trounced the Tulane Green Wave 82-36 Sunday afternoon. Houston never trailed in the game. Houston set season-highs for most assists (21); field goal percentage (54.4 fg%); points scored in a half (49); fewest assists allowed (3); and fewest points allowed in the first quarter (5).

Also, Tulane shot 0 for 15 from three-point range. Tulane entered the game making 7.7 three-pointers per game.

You get the idea.

Houston played its most complete game of the season.

"By far," Ronald Hughey said after the game. "The most locked in. We were locked in. The most complete game we've played all year."

Houston (8-13 overall, 5-3 in The American) jumped to a 19-5 lead at the first quarter. The Coogs shot 54.5 fg% (6 for 11) in the first quarter including 3 for 5 (60%) on three-pointers.

The second quarter was the only competitive quarter in the game. Both teams scored 14 points. The Green Wave made 5 field goals in the second quarter which were Tulane's most field goals made in a quarter today.

Houston's Laila Blair had the highlight moment in the second stanza. Blair scored a baseline floater in the quarter to give her 8 points in the game; but, more significantly, the layup gave Blair 1000 points in her UH career. Blair is the 29th player in Houston program history to score 1000 points.

"Tremendous job with her with the work that she put in to reach 1000 points during her junior year," Coach Hughey acknowledged.

Houston led 33-19 at halftime. The Coogs removed any hint of a Tulane comeback with a 26-8 third quarter. Houston limited the Green Wave to 4 for 15 field goals in the third quarter. Tulane also committed 8 turnovers in the third. Meanwhile, Houston made 11 of 18 (61.1 fg%) shots in the third.

Kamryn Jones scored 6 of her game-high 16 points in the third quarter. Six different Coogs scored in the third quarter.

"I feel like how strong the bond, no matter the adversity, that's what changed," Jones said after the game. "Win or lose, hopefully, win; but, win or lose, we're going to fight for each other. And, the energy is just there as it showed today."

The Coogs closed out the blowout victory winning the fourth quarter 23-9. Houston outscored Tulane 39-10 in points off turnovers.

Kamryn Jones' 16 points led three other Houston players in double-digit scoring. Laila Blair and Bria Patterson each scored 13 and Britney Onyeje scored 11.

Today's win was Houston's largest margin of victory since February 2, 2005.

NEXT:

Houston's next game is Wednesday, February 1, on the road, against Memphis. Tip is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.

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