Houston guard Marta Llompart (14) runs toward the net during an NCAA college women’s basketball game against Eastern New Mexico on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026 in Houston. | Gillian Wisniewski/The Cougar
Houston head coach Matthew Mitchell’s team began their season with a 91-32 victory in an exhibition match against Eastern New Mexico on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
As another fall season progresses, the former Kentucky coach’s mission remains the same: to elevate a program that finished 1-17 in the Big 12 conference once before his arrival and again during his return to the sideline.
“You just have more knowledge, more experience in the institution,” said Mitchell. “It’s exciting and I have the strong belief that we’re going to build something special.”
Last year, the Cougars recorded seven wins in 23 total games during the 2025-26 season.
However, the potential of the project is evident; and what better leader than a three-time SEC Coach of the Year. This year, momentum can be built from their upcoming non-conference schedule heading into their Big 12 campaign.
First was a dance with Eastern New Mexico on their own hardwood.
The Greyhounds were responsible for the first points of the game thanks to freshman guard Marta Llompart’s turnover, but it would be their last of the quarter. Llompart’s two free throws served as both the response and the Cougars’ first points of the season.
Mitchell rotated the Spaniard and his starters early in the contest, including sophomore center Elodie Lutbert, who had 2 blocks before her first substitution.
Nevertheless, Houston accumulated a large lead that reached 19 points after a quarter of play. Aside from junior guard Kaelyn Hamilton’s efficient shooting, it was freshman guard Alyvia McCorkle providing a spark off the bench with 6 points.
Their 21-2 lead would expand in the second quarter, though offensive efficiency waned and Lutbert contributed to Houston sending Eastern New Mexico to the charity stripe five times.
The Greyhounds remained inefficient with their limited possessions and could only capitalize on those free-throw opportunities. After 20 minutes of play, Houston entered the tunnel retaining a 40-12 lead.
The Cougars quickly cleaned up their mistakes in the second half.
“We had a lull there at the end of the first half,” said Mitchell. “They came out here and played a great second half; I was proud of that.”
McCorkle was an integral part of Houston’s strong performance in the following quarters. She finished the night with 12 points and drew three charges, slotting in nicely for Llompart who dished out eight assists.
“Man, I have so much confidence in them,” stated an exuberant Mitchell. “It’s an unusual situation to be that young in that position, but they’re really good players and they’re getting better all the time and I was very pleased with how they played tonight.”
Sophomore guard Kayla King scored eight points in the third quarter to help extend Houston’s lead to 44. Eastern New Mexico also started the second half in a better rhythm, but entered the final quarter as the victims of a 64-20 score line.
The starters returned for good midway through the fourth, led by Hamilton, who finished with a team-high 18 points.
“I think we have some things to work on more, but in general we (played) a good game because we played together and everybody shared the ball,” said Lutbert. “Everybody played together.”
The French native led the team in rebounds with 10 and demonstrated her ability to be a strong presence on both sides of the court.
Nonetheless, Lutbert believes she, as well as the team, has much to improve defensively over the course of this blooming season.
“For the first game, an exhibition game, that was great,” said Lutbert. “Our effort was good but not enough to play in the Big 12. We have to work more on that because of the games we have coming up.”
Mitchell seemed more optimistic despite promising to review the game film and build from there.
“(Eastern New Mexico) played really hard and I just think we were able to disrupt them and get them out of rhythm,” said Mitchell. “We obviously had more talent tonight, but still just to have the energy to be in the right spot to play hard for 40 minutes is significant.”
Naturally, the Cougars may have a longer journey towards definitive success than those in their conference. It will continue with recruits like Lutbert, who led her former team in rebounds and blocks on her way to an All-WAC Defensive Team nomination.
Mitchell also believes there is a contingency between the core principles he hopes to ingrain and winning games.
“It will start organizing around honesty, hard work and discipline,” said Mitchell. “Those are the three things that we long to come alive in our team on the court and off the court.”
He’s been preaching it since he set foot in the Guy V. Lewis Facility. Despite certain faults, those values were on display tonight.
They hope it will be evident again on Monday, Nov. 2, when their campaign officially begins against Hampton University, right back in the Fertitta Center.
sports@thedailycougar.com
