HOUSTON – One final home game awaits the HCU women's basketball team when the Huskies host McNeese inside Sharp Gym for a New Year's Eve Southland Conference matchup at 2:00 p.m.
HCU (4-6, 2-1 SLC) began SLC play with a pair of wins but has lost its last two games, at Nicholls and across town in the team's final non-conference game against Rice. The Huskies have had an extended break around the Christmas holiday with Wednesday's game marking their first competition since Dec. 20 when they faced the Owls.
Sophomore
Grace Booth continues to pace the Huskies, leading the way with 13 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. The guard has scored at least nine points in every game this year and has reached double-digits in eight of the team's 10 games. Freshman
Kamryn McLaurin sits right behind Booth in scoring, averaging 12.8 ppg and also reaching double-figures in eight games so far. McLaurin pulled down a career-high nine rebounds last time out against Rice.
The Huskies lead the SLC in points scored off the bench, averaging 27.7 ppg from their subs. That number is good for 42
nd nationally.
McNeese (8-4, 2-1 SLC) come into the game fresh off a 74-53 road win against UIW on Monday evening. Freshman forward Dakota Howard led all players with 20 points, tying a career-high while shooting 9-of-15 from the floor and pulling down eight rebounds. Sophomore Tyreona Sibley added 18 for the Cowgirls, connecting on 8-of-13.
For the season, Howard leads McNeese with 11.9 ppg with graduate guard Arianna Patton second at 10.1 ppg. The Cowgirls check in at second in the nation in turnover margin, forcing opponents into 23.83 turnovers per game while committing just 10.4 of their own per game.
HCU embarks on a three-game road swing to open the 2026 calendar year, first heading to San Antonio, Texas to take on UIW this Saturday, Jan. 3, at 1:00 p.m. before facing Lamar and Stephen F. Austin the following week.
