Houston women’s basketball mauled by Arkansas State in Baha Mar opener

Thirty-eight turnovers and limited attempts from the floor played key pieces in Houston women’s basketball’s 83-66 loss to Arkansas State in the Goombay Division semifinals of the women’s Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship Friday at Baha Mar Convention Center in Nassau, Bahamas.

Despite two Cougars scoring in double figures including senior guard TK Pitts’ team-leading 12 points off the bench, seven of Houston’s 11 logged players committed four or more turnovers, which led the Red Wolves to capitalize with 31 points on the split. 

The bulk of the Cougars’ ball security woes came in the first quarter with 14 turnovers, while their margin reached as high as -19 in the afternoon contest.

This also significantly hindered Houston’s shooting splits as despite the 48.1 percent shooting clip from the floor, the Cougars only shot 25-for-52 compared to Arkansas State’s 30-for-79. 

The Red Wolves commanded throughout the contest with a series of runs including a 15-2 run off five Houston turnovers to open the first quarter. 

Down 33-15 to open the second quarter, the Cougars began with a 9-0 run to cut their deficit to 33-24. 

Within 72 seconds, Arkansas State responded with a 9-0 run of its own to push out to a 42-24 lead with 5:22 remaining in the half. From that point forward, the Red Wolves finished the second quarter on a scoreless stretch from the floor despite holding a 45-31 halftime lead.

A 19-7 Arkansas State start to the third quarter gave the Red Wolves their largest lead of the game at 64-38 with 1:48 left in the frame. 

Things got interesting rather late when the Cougars took a 16-2 run into the fourth quarter to cut their deficit to 66-55 with 7:40 remaining in the game, off two triples from graduate guard Kateri Poole. 

However, eight fourth quarter points from senior guard Marlie Dickerson and six late Cougar turnovers helped seal the game for the Red Wolves, who now move on to the Goombay Division finals against Kent State.

Senior guard Zyion Shannon led scoring in the contest with 15 points on 6 of 12 shooting for Arkansas State.

Junior guard Kierra Merchant nearly recorded her second double-double of the season for Houston in posting eight points and 10 rebounds over 29 minutes. 

Up next, the Cougars, now at 4-3, will look to be more careful with the basketball and avoid their fourth loss in six games, as they’ll take on former Conference USA and American Athletic Conference rival Tulsa in the Goombay Division third place consolation game on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. CST to close out the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship.