Coogs lose 82-66 to Texas Longhorns

POSTED: February 14, 2024 -- 11:10 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Fertitta Center) -- The Houston Cougars women's basketball team lost to the Texas Longhorns 82-66 Wednesday night. With tonight's loss, Houston's record is now 12-12 overall and 3-10 in the Big 12 Conference. Texas improves to 23-3, 10-3.

Houston competed throughout the game; however, a poor second quarter and sluggish third quarter defense negated the Coogs' upset chances.

The Longhorns missed numerous layups and committed 5 turnovers in the first quarter which helped Houston trail by just 3 points (18-15) at the end of the first quarter.

Houston senior guard Laila Blair hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 18. Texas answered with a put back layup by DeYona Gaston; but, Houston's Britney Onyeje and Kamryn Jones each scored 2 points to put Houston on top 22-20 with 8:02 remaining in the 2nd quarter.

Houston's lead lasted all of 6 seconds. Shay Holle sank a 3 to regain the lead for Texas; and, the Coogs never led the rest of the game. The Longhorns went on a 15-0 run and outscored the Coogs 19-2 to end the quarter and lead 39-24 at halftime. In the last 8 minutes of the quarter, Houston missed 8 of 9 field goal attempts and had 4 turnovers.

Five different Coogs combined to make 7 of 11 field goals in the third quarter; however, 6 Houston turnovers limited Houston's scoring opportunities. Texas made 8 of 14 (57.1 fg%) in the third and outscored Houston 24-19 in the quarter to 63-43 after 30 minutes.

Houston did not turnover the ball in the 4th quarter and Laila Blair scored 9 of her team-high 23 points in the 4th; however, the Coogs did not get closer than 13 in the 4th before losing to the Horns by 16.

With her 5th point Wednesday night, Laila Blair became the 9th player in Houston Cougars women's hoops to score 1500 points in her college career.

The Longhorns out-rebounded the Coogs 42-24 and dominated points in the paint 54-22.

Texas freshman guard Madison Booker led the Horns with 23 points (9 for 13 field goals). Booker added 7 rebounds and 4 assists. DeYona Gaston scored 21 points (9 for 15 fgs) off the bench for the Horns.

In her first start this season, Houston's Maliyah Johnson scored 12 points (3 for 5 from three and 3 for 4 free throws). Britney Onyeje added 11 points off the bench for the Coogs.

After the game, Ronald Hughey, Houston Head Coach, was asked what he learned from facing Texas.

"The first thing you have to do is you gotta recruit," Coach Hughey said. "Madison Booker is top 20 in the country. DeYona Gaston is top 50 in the country. Amina Muhammad is top 50 in the country. Aaliyah Moore is top 20 in the country. Rori (Harmon) is top 10 in the country.

"So, again, it starts with recruiting; getting those kids; and, then, you can be able to go from there."

NOTE:

Tonight's win is the 400th win of Longhorns' Head Coach Vic Schaefer college coaching career. In 19 seasons as head coach, Coach Schaefer's coaching record is 400-202.

NEXT:

Houston's next game is Saturday, February 17, on the road, against Oklahoma State. Tip is set for 4 p.m. on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

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