Houston — The women's basketball team marked a 77–57 home win over Concordia (TX) on Monday night at Sharp Gymnasium. The Huskies built momentum throughout the night, turning a close first quarter into a commanding second-half performance.
HCU (2-3) opened the game trading points as both teams tried to settle in, edging ahead 16–15 after one. Grace Booth set the tone early on the glass, while Kamryn McLaurin attacked downhill to get HCU moving offensively. The shift came in the second quarter, when HCU tightened defensively and held Concordia to just seven points. Madison Hurta's three gave the Huskies a push, and Booth followed with a deep three near the end of the period to push the lead to 34–22. A late fastbreak triple from Madelyne Davis sent HCU into halftime up 34–22, completing a 12–0 run to close the quarter.
Concordia came out firing in the third behind a hot stretch from Taysie Trejo, who scored repeatedly in transition, trimming the gap to three. But HCU responded when McLaurin knocked down a timely three, Booth added another from deep, and Jo Oly converted a pair of free throws to push the margin back into double digits. McLaurin's finishing inside and HCU's 14 second-chance points helped the Huskies close the quarter ahead 55–44.
HCU put the game away in the fourth with its most dominant frame. The Huskies pulled away on drives from McLaurin and Sidney Carr. Tove Caesar added key layups to stretch the lead, and Booth sealed the night with a smooth jumper in the final minute. HCU outscored Concordia 22–13 in the quarter and finished with 31 points off turnovers.
McLaurin led the Huskies with 17 points, while Booth posted 14 points and a game-high 17 rebounds. Caesar added 10 points, Fields chipped in nine off the bench, and Carr contributed six more with strong defensive pressure. HCU controlled the glass 45–38 and piled up 27 bench points in one of their most balanced outings of the season.
HCU now turns its attention to its first road test of the week, traveling to New Orleans to face the Privateers on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
