Houston Women's Basketball Tops Hampton 73-65
The Cougars opened the 2026-27 season at home in the Fertitta Center with a win over the Pirates.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Basketball
Houston women's basketball defeated Hampton 73-65 on Monday, Nov. 2, in its 2026-27 season opener at the Fertitta Center. It was the first meeting between the two programs in history.
Why it matters
The win gives Houston an early result to build on as the season begins. For Houston residents, it marks the start of the home schedule at the Fertitta Center.
Houston won its season opener 73-65 over Hampton, with the game decided after Hampton cut a 57-43 third-quarter deficit to a four-point margin in the fourth quarter. Hampton's late threes narrowed the margin, but Houston's defense held the lead through the final minutes.
The players
Houston Cougars women's basketball
The University of Houston's women's basketball program, which competes in the American Athletic Conference and plays its home games at the Fertitta Center.
Hampton Pirates women's basketball
The women's basketball program of Hampton University, a historically Black university in Hampton, Virginia, that competes in the NCAA Division I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
The details
Kayla King made a three-point shot in the first quarter, Elodie Lutbert recorded a block in the second quarter, and Esmeralda Enriquez made an uncontested three-point shot in the second quarter. Hampton went on a 6-0 scoring run late in the third quarter to cut Houston's lead to 57-43 before the end of the period.
Timeline
Monday, Nov. 2, 2026: Houston defeats Hampton 73-65 in the season opener at the Fertitta Center.
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026: Houston hosts Sam Houston State at the Fertitta Center.
Season Trajectory
The season opener is the first step in the NCAA Division I women's basketball calendar, where early nonconference results shape a team's early profile before conference play begins. Houston's 73-65 win over Hampton starts its 2026-27 schedule with a victory, while Hampton begins its season with a loss.
Houston opens its home schedule against Sam Houston State on Thursday, Nov. 5, giving Houston fans another chance to attend a game at the Fertitta Center this week. The 73-65 season-opening result means the Cougars head into that matchup with a 1-0 record.
The takeaway
Houston's season-opening win shows a team that can hold a lead through a late Hampton push, a useful early sign as the Cougars prepare for their home game against Sam Houston State.
What happens next
Houston hosts Sam Houston State in the Fertitta Center on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the team's schedule, see Houston Basketball coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Cougar.
