HOUSTON – HCU women's basketball is back in action tomorrow night against cross town foe University of St. Thomas Celts Saturday afternoon at 2pm in Sharp Gym. Houston Christian University (HCU), formerly Houston Baptist University (HBU), underwent a name change in September 2022.
The Huskies beat the Celts last season, 70-48.
Julija Vujakovic had a team high 15 points while
Kennedy Wilson had 13 points in 22 minutes off the bench.
Enya Maguire and
Abbey Sutherland each had a team high six boards. HCU was able to force 27 turnovers and allowed the Celts to shoot just 25 percent from the floor. HCU shot just over 40 percent and committed 21 turnovers.
HCU (4-4) is coming off of a dominating win over Arlington Baptist 101-42. Maguire,
Jo Oly, and
N'Denasija Collins all had record setting evenings. Maguire set a career high in three pointers made (five) and points (19). Collins recorded a double-double and set new marks in points (23) and rebounds (15). Oly narrowly missed a triple double in her first career start and set highs in points (21), rebounds (nine), and assists (eight).
Against the Patriots, the Huskies knocked down an impressive 55 percent of their shots from the floor and nearly 50 percent of their shots from deep. The out-rebounded ABU 56-24. They forced 17 turnovers and turned those into 11 points-off-turnovers.
HCU's bench had their highest scoring day of the season with 25, led by
Marilyn Nzoiwu who had 10. HCU set a new team high this season for points in a quarter with 32, which they did in the first and third periods. It was the third time they reached the century mark under coach Finnie.
Vujakovic leads in scoring with 13.2 points per game. Collins is close behind averaging 12.8 ppg and averages a team high 6.4 rebounds per game. Wilson and Maguire each average a tick above eight ppg while Maguire knocks down three pointers at a 44 percent clip. Sutherland averages five points and four rebounds and is tied with Wilson for the team lead in assists with 20 for the season.
St. Thomas (1-8, 0-2 SCAC) has struggled out of the gate. Their lone win on the season came against Birmingham Southern. The Celts lost to Arlington Baptist 71-61 earlier in the season.
HCU heads out on a two game road trip against Texas State and Texas on December 20th and 21st before opening up conference play at home against New Orleans on New Year's Eve.
