Taleya Mayberry helps TU women down Houston 76-63
BY MIKE MOGUIN World Correspondent
Friday, March 08, 2013
3/08/13 at 7:13 AM
Having carried most of the load throughout her college career, Taleya Mayberry got one more high-scoring performance in as Tulsa closed its regular season with a 76-63 win against Houston on Thursday night at the Reynolds Center.
Mayberry, a senior from Booker T. Washington, shared the scoring lead with Kadan Brady, as both finished with 18 points each.
"It was awesome," Mayberry said. "In all four years here at Tulsa, I gave it all I can to lead my team. There is no better way going out leaving (with a win in the final home game), not only for myself, but for my teammates as well."
Mayberry went 6-of-16 and hit 5-of-8 free throws while Brady, a sophomore from Healdton who went on a 3-point rampage late in the game, hit 7-of-9 including four treys.
"The main thing I really focused on was defense," Brady said. "That was the main thing I was focused on from the beginning. I knew if I could get stops on defense then the offense would come."
Kelsee Grovey also finished in double figures with 14 points.
Mayberry, along with fellow seniors Tiffani Couisnard, who was named to the Conference USA Women's All-Academic Team earlier in the day, and Jessica McQuin were honored after the game on Senior Night.
"I look at all three of our seniors at what they've given to this program," Tulsa coach Matilda Mossman said. "And with the coaching change, how they accepted us and allowed us to coach them, I couldn't be prouder of them as human beings. All three are bright and intelligent young ladies and have a great future ahead of them."
"It is bittersweet," Mayberry said. "Tulsa has given me so many memories. I've never regretted the decision to come here. I went through a lot of adversity here. It has helped me grow, not only as a player, but as a person, tremendously. I will miss this place a lot."
Yasmee Thompson led the Cougars with 17 points, Marche' Amerson scored 16 and Porsche Landry finished with 12.
Tulsa shot 45 percent (26-of-58) in field goals, 50 percent (8-of-16) outside the arc and 70 percent (16-of-23) in free throws.
Houston (13-16, 7-9) won the rebounding battle, 44-33, but shot 40 percent (24-of-60), 35 percent (7-of-20) in 3-pointers and was 50 percent (8-of-16) on foul shots.
The Golden Hurricane (13-16 overall, 8-8 in C-USA) was hoping the win would help in getting a bye in next week's Conference USA Championship Tournament at the Convention Center, but that won't be the case.
UAB edged Central Florida 55-54 to earn the tournament's fourth-seed and coveted first-round bye. TU awaits the result of Friday's Tulane at UTEP game to determine whether it will be the fifth, sixth or seventh seed for next week's league tournament.
"We were still fighting for that No. 4 seed," Mossman said. "With UAB winning tonight, we're not going to get that. But we played tonight like the game meant something and I hope we can carry that attitude into next week. If we can continue to play together like that, there is no limit to how many games we can get."
Tulsa only trailed Houston twice and that came early in the game. The game was tied twice in the first half after the Cougars came back with some runs.
The Hurricane owned a 32-30 halftime advantage, then gradually broke away in the second half.
Brady nailed a pair of 3s, one from each corner, bringing the score to 51-39.
Original Print Headline: Mayberry lifts TU to victory in final home game of career
C-USA Tournament
Vs. TBA / At Convention Center
Wednesday
