Coogs suffer 76-64 home loss to Iowa State

POSTED: February 21, 2024 -- 11:10 p.m. CT

Watch Coach Hughey's postgame press conference.

HOUSTON, TX (Fertitta Center) -- The Houston Cougars women's basketball team lost 76-64 to the Iowa State Cyclones Wednesday night. Houston (13-13 overall, 4-11 in the Big 12) played Iowa State (15-10, 8-6) even the first and fourth quarters and won the third quarter.

But, the second quarter proved to be the difference. Nothing went right for the Coogs in the second quarter.

"That second quarter really killed us," Ron Hughey, Houston Head Coach said after the game.

Houston trailed Iowa State by only 1 (18-17) after the first quarter; but, in the second quarter, Houston missed its first 11 field goal attempts and only made 1 field goal (out of 15 tries) in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Iowa State made 8 of 19 attempts in the quarter and outscored Houston 26-6 in those 10 minutes.

"We let our lack of making shots dictate to what happened to us on defense," Coach Hughey added. "We did a bunch of undisciplined stuff in the second quarter."

As the missed shots piled up, Houston's frustration increased and Iowa State took advantage -- especially inside. Audi Crooks, Iowa State's freshman starting center, imposed her will and scored 9 of her game-high 25 points in the second stanza.

"Crooks is a load," Coach Hughey said.

Houston trailed Iowa State 44-23 at halftime. Ironically, Iowa State committed one more turnover (8 to 7) than Houston in the first half; but, the Cyclones outscored the Coogs 11-0 in points off turnovers.

In the third quarter, the Coogs' offense awakened from the second quarter slumber and made 5 of 11 three-point attempts en route to shooting 50% (8 for 16) from the floor in the period. The Coogs won the third quarter 24-15 to trail by just 12 (59-47) heading to the fourth quarter.

The Cyclones led by as much as 16 points in the fourth quarter; but, the Coogs refused to go away. The Coogs clawed within three times in the fourth; however, Houston did not get within single digits in the quarter and only managed to get within 10 (74-64) with 1:57 to go in the ball game.

Houston senior guard Laila Blair scored a team-high 19 points; however, Blair made just 4 of he 15 field goal attempts.

After the game, Coach Hughey said he did not like the shots Blair took.

"I said to her, 'You have to trust yourself more. You have to trust your teammates.' She wanted to get into the paint and distribute to her teammates; but, I said to her, 'Yeah; but, you're getting too deep. You're getting too deep."

"Too many forced shots where she was getting too deep," Coach Hughey concluded.

Houston's reserve unit outscored Iowa State's reserves 31-13; however, the Cyclones dominated the points in the paint (44-18) and owned the rebounding battle (53-28).

NEXT:

Houston's next game is Saturday, February 24, on the road, against TCU. Tip is set for 6 p.m. on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

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