Nov. 21, 2005
Contact: Carlos Valdez III. (210) 458-4930
UTSA hosts Tulsa in regular season home opener Tuesday
SAN ANTONIO - Fresh off a pair if impressive victories at the Central Florida Golden Knights Classic last weekend, the UTSA women's basketball team returns home to host Tulsa on Tuesday, Nov. 22. Tip is set for 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
UTSA Roadrunners (2-0)
vs.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane (1-0)
Tuesday, Nov. 22 - 7 p.m.
Convocation Center (5,100) - San Antonio, Texas
Last Outing:
UTSA is coming off a successful weekend with two victories at the Central Florida Golden Knights Classic in Orlando … The Roadrunners' upset win (57-54) over Big East conference member West Virginia on Nov. 18, was the biggest win in head coach Rae Rippetoe-Blair's tenure … The Runners continued their winning ways with a 71-61 victory over Florida A&M on Nov. 19 … Leading UTSA in scoring against the Mountaineers was sophomore guard Terrie Davis with 17 points, while senior forwards Lacy Mingee and Katie Sandefur added 12 and 11 points, respectively … Against FAMU, junior forward Vivian Ewalefo held game-high honors with 22 points and nine rebounds in the win over the Rattlers … Senior guard Nicole Dunson poured in 19 points, while Sandefur chipped in with 12 points.
Setting The Scene
UTSA looks to continue its two-game winning streak, while ending a three-game losing streak to Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane leads the all-time series 3-0 and are 1-0 at the Convocation Center. UTSA and TU met last season with Tulsa beating the Roadrunners 80-60 on Nov. 22, 2004.
Scouting The Golden Hurricane
Tulsa enters tonight’s contest after defeating Missouri-Kansas City, 59-46, on Nov. 20. Junior forward Jillian Robbins collected her 27th career double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Senior forward Emily Jaskowiak chipped in with 12 points and led the team with six assists. TU’s defense forced 26 turnovers and held the Kangaroos to 34 percent shooting from the field.
A Look At The Roadrunners
UTSA heads into tonight’s game with an 2-0 mark after defeating West Virginia, 57-54, on Nov. 18 and Florida A&M, 71-61, on Nov. 19 at the Central Florida Tournament in Orlando, Fla.
A First For Coach Rippetoe-Blair
The 2-0 start marks the first time head coach Rae Rippetoe-Blair has begun a season winning the first two games during her six-year tenure at UTSA.
Last Time The Runners Were 2-0
During the 1996-97 season, head coach Terry Gray was the last coach to start the year 2-0. UTSA defeated Schreiner 82-43 on Nov. 22 and Texas-Pan American 53-39 on Nov. 23.
Veteran Leadership
The three seniors (Nicole Dunson, Lacy Mingee and Katie Sandefur) on Rippetoe-Blair’s squad were a huge lift over the weekend, combining for 28.5 points per game.
Strong Finisher
Davis’ 17 points against West Virginia helped UTSA upset the Mountaineers in Friday’s 57-54 win at the UCF Tournament. The Houston, Texas, native scored 12 of her 17 points in the second half, including nine points during UTSA’s 16-3 run to tie the game with 7:34 left in the game.
Ewalefo Dominates The Rattlers
Vivian Ewalefo’s 22 points and nine rebounds were enough to lift UTSA over Florida A&M, 71-61, at the Central Florida Tournament on Nov. 19. The junior transfer from Barton County Community College connected on 10-of-15 from the field (67 percent).
Back To Basics
Since coach Rippetoe-Blair’s arrival at UTSA, the Roadrunners have built a reputation around the SLC and nation as one of the best defensive teams over the last five seasons. West Virginia and Florida A&M were held under 40 percent shooting from the floor. The Runners defense held West Virginia’s last season’s leading scorer (19.5 ppg) in Meg Bulger to 29 percent shooting and 11 points for the game.
High Expectations In The SLC
UTSA was picked to finish second in the SLC coaches and SIDs polls behind Texas-Arlington.
First Timers
This season UTSA will play four teams for the first time in school history, beginning with West Virginia and Florida A&M in the Central Florida Tournament, Davidson on Dec. 2 at the Rice Tournament, and playing host to Buffalo in the Wells Fargo New Year’s Classic on Dec. 30.
Looking For Number 200
Head coach Rae Rippetoe-Blair is 10 wins shy of reaching 200 career wins.
Young Birds
Coach Rippetoe-Blair welcomes eight newcomers to this year’s team, including seven freshmen.
Who’s Next For The Roadrunners
UTSA will host the Thanksgiving Classic on Nov. 25-26 at the Convocation Center. The Runners will face Arkansas-Little Rock on Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. and New Mexico State on Nov. 26 at 4 p.m.