Blackshell-Fair shines but Cougars fall short against the Bearcats

Junior guard Julia Blackshell-Fair shot 67 percent from the field to score 23 points and added in seven assists and seven steals in the loss to the Bearcats on Tuesday. | Lino Sandil/The CougarJunior guard Julia Blackshell-Fair’s 23 points were not enough for Houston to overcome the Cincinnati Bearcats as the Cougars lost 74-65 Tuesday afternoon at Fertitta Center.

Sophomore forward Tatyana Hill carried the Cougars offense to begin the contest as she scored all 14 of Houston’s first-quarter points.

Defensively, the Cougars forced eight turnovers in the opening period, but the Bearcats 53.8 percent shooting in the quarter made up for it and allowed Cincinnati to hold a five-point advantage…