Houston Knocks Off Oklahoma in Season Opener

Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Athletics

Onyeje paces the Cougars with 23 points

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 25. 2020) The University of Houston Women’s Basketball team opened its season with an 97-85 win over Big 12 foe Oklahoma on Wednesday afternoon at the Lloyd Noble Center.

 

Four Cougars turned in double-figure scoring efforts led by redshirt sophomore, Britney Onyeje with a team-high 23 points in her collegiate debut. Julia Blackshell-Fair nearly had a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds, as Dymond Gladney (shown right) led UH in assists with seven.

 

Houston shot 43.6 percent from the field, including 31.1 percent from three-point range.

 

Oklahoma’s Madi Williams led all scorers with 25 points, as Mandy Simpson posted a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

 

Houston set the the tone early via a 7-2 scoring run in the first two minutes of the game. Julia Blackshell-Fair scored the first Cougar basket of the 2020-21 season, driving through the lane after gaining control of the jump ball. Sharpshooting and tough defense helped Oklahoma even things up at the halfway point of the frame, 11-11. Both teams went back-and-forth for the remainder of the first quarter before a timely three-point basket from junior Ca’Leyah Burrell gave Houston a one-point advantage at the quarter break.

 

Leading 26-25, Houston turned things up defensively in the second quarter and ultimately outscored Oklahoma 20-19. Blackshell-Fair remained poised, but aggressive earning three trips to the free throw line where she knocked down 5-of-6 free throw attempts. UH forced four OU turnovers, outscoring the Sooners 7-3 off turnovers to close out the frame. As time dwindled down, Houston redshirt senior Eryka Sidney dribbled to the top of the key where she sank a jump shot with only second left on the clock to give UH a 46-44 lead at the half.

 

The third quarter would be the turning point for the Cougars as Houston outscored Oklahoma 27-17. UH got going from behind the three-point line, knocking down four of its seven attempts. Onyeje paced the Cougars, scoring 13 of her 23 points during the third quarter, including three made three-pointers. Houston held Oklahoma to 16.7 percent shooting from three-point range, outscoring OU 6-0 in transition.

 

The Houston defense kept things tight as time winded down, forcing six fourth quarter turnovers. Fouls plagued the Cougars as Oklahoma managed to chip away at UH’s lead with help from trips to the free throw line. Freshman, Laila Blair had the hot hand in the fourth quarter, scoring seven of Houston’s 24 fourth quarter points. The Cougars held on, late ultimately picking up its second straight win over the Sooners.

     

Houston will head to Tuscaloose to face Alabama on Nov. 29. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.