Despite a standout performance from junior guard Kierra Merchant, who recorded her first career double-double, the University of Houston women’s basketball team fell 70–56 to Rice on Tuesday night at the Fertitta Center.
The loss marked the first of the season for the Cougars (2–1). Merchant led the way with 12 points and a career-best 14 rebounds, sharing the team scoring lead with Amirah Abdur-Rahim and Kyndall Hunter, who also each finished with 12 points. Senior guard TK Pitts added another strong effort on the glass, tallying 10 rebounds for the second straight game.
Rice (1–1) came out hot, jumping to a 9–1 lead in the opening minutes. Hunter helped Houston close the gap, scoring seven of the team’s next nine points to trim the deficit to 14–10 at the end of the first quarter.
The Owls extended their advantage early in the second with a quick 12–2 run, but the Cougars responded with energy, cutting the lead to single digits on a 9–2 burst. A late push kept Houston within reach as Rice led 32–27 heading into halftime.
Houston continued to battle in the third quarter, pulling within three at 41–38 before Rice regained control at the free-throw line to close the period up 45–38. The Cougars made another push in the fourth, using a 6–0 run to stay within striking distance, but Rice held firm down the stretch to seal its first win of the season.
