{"id":357230,"date":"2025-11-05T10:35:32","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T10:35:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/357230\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T10:35:32","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T10:35:32","slug":"womens-basketball-opens-season-with-win-in-mitchells-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/357230\/","title":{"rendered":"Women\u2019s Basketball Opens Season With Win in Mitchell\u2019s Debut"},"content":{"rendered":"

HOUSTON \u2013 <\/strong>Head Coach Matthew Mitchell<\/a> earned his first victory at the helm of the University of Houston Women’s basketball program with a 76-59 opening night victory over UT Arlington inside the Fertitta Center on Tuesday.
\n\u00a0
\nFive players scored in double figures, led by graduate forward Amirah Abdur-Rahim<\/a> with 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting from the field. Graduate guard Briana Peguero<\/a> followed up with 14 points paired with a career-high six steals while freshman forward Jade Jones<\/a> posted a near double-double off the bench with 13 points and a team-leading nine rebounds.\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nSenior guard TK Pitts<\/a> and freshman guard Kayla King<\/a> rounded out double-figure scoring with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Cougars (1-0) improve to 11-4 all-time against the Lady Mavericks (0-1), snapping a four-game losing skid. Houston is now 21-6 in home openers with Coach Mitchell earning his 12th-consecutive season-opening victory, dating back to his coaching stint at Kentucky, now 14-2 in his career on opening nights.
\n\u00a0
\nA leveled start to play saw a contested 6-6 score before the Lady Mavericks produced a quick 5-0 run to lead 11-6 just under the five-minute mark in the first quarter. Houston broke loose for an 11-2 run, holding UT Arlington scoreless in the final 3:06 to lead 17-13 at the end of the period.
\n\u00a0
\nHouston sparked momentum on the press, forcing four consecutive turnovers and pushing the pace to close the half on a 13-3 run. The Cougars tallied the last eight points of the period with six coming on the break to lead 37-26 at the half.\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nThe second half was a game of trends with the Lady Mavericks swinging momentum in the opening minutes, building on a 7-0 run to close the gap to 44-41. The Cougars responded late in the period, propelling an 8-0 run to extend their advantage to 54-42 entering the fourth quarter.\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nHouston returned to the press in the final frame and added to its dominant stretch, sparking a 9-0 run for 17-straight points to lead 63-42 at the media break.\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nDespite an attended surge from the Mavericks, the Cougars sealed the game to secure the first win of the Mitchell era.
\n\u00a0
\nUP NEXT<\/strong>
\nHouston will remain at home when it hosts UTSA at 7 p.m., Saturday, for its Houston High Tops Night. Fans with tickets to the 2 p.m., men’s basketball game against Towson can present their ticket to enter the women’s game for free. Fans are encouraged to wear their favorite pair of Jordans and can enter a raffle to win a Jordan gear basketball.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Cougars will close their homestand on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 6:30 p.m. against Rice.\u00a0
\n\u00a0\u00a0
\nSUPPORT YOUR COOGS<\/strong>\u00a0
\nFans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women’s Basketball by providing NIL opportunities<\/strong><\/a> and by joining Full Court Press<\/strong><\/a>, which provides support directly to Houston Women’s Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.\u00a0
\n\u00a0 \u00a0
\nSTAY CONNECTED<\/strong>\u00a0
\nFans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB<\/strong><\/a> on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE <\/strong>on the team’s Facebook page at UHCougarWBB<\/strong><\/a> or on the team’s Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0

\n\u2013 UHCougars.com \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n