Jan. 4, 2006
Contact: Carlos Valdez III. (210) 458-4930
UTSA Opens Southland Conference Play Against Southeastern Louisiana
SAN ANTONIO - UTSA looks to end its three-game losing streak, as they get set for Southland Conference action against Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions.
UTSA (5-6, 0-0 SLC)
vs.
Southeastern Louisiana (3-6, 0-0 SLC)
Thursday, Jan. 5 - 7 p.m.
Convocation Center (5,100) - San Antonio, Texas
Last Outing: UTSA’s rally falls short as Colorado State held on for a 63-59 win on the final day of the Wells Fargo/UTSA New Year’s Classic on Dec. 31 in the Convocation Center. The Roadrunners, who have dropped a season-high three consecutive games, mounted a fierce comeback in the second half to get within three points with :20 seconds remaining, but the Rams went 3-for-4 from the free throw line in the final seconds to seal the win. CSU had three players in double figures with Sara Hunter, who received all-tourney team honors, lead the way with 14 points. Senior forward Katie Sandefur, also picked to the all-tournament team, posted a team-high 13 points, while junior forward Vivian Ewalefo added 11 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Senior guard Nicole Dunson and freshman guard Farren Fox each scored nine points apiece.
Setting The Scene
The Roadrunners will look to end a season-high three-game losing streak when they battle Southland Conference for Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday night at 7 p.m., in the Convocation Center. This will be the conference opener for both team.
Scouting Report On The Lady Lions
SLU is riding a two-game winning streak after defeating LSU-Sheveport 70-41 on Dec. 28 and Belhaven 88-49 on Dec. 30. The Lady Lions ended a five-game losing streak when they defeated LSU-Sheveport. Junior guard Tina Wilson leads the team in scoring with 14.3 points per game, while junior forward Brenita Williams tops the team in rebounding (5.7).
Last Meeting Between UTSA and SLU
The Roadrunners went 2-0 against Southeastern Louisiana last season. In their first meeting, the Runners handed the Lady Lions a 75-64 loss on Jan. 29 in the Convocation Center. UTSA crushed SLU 60-40 in Hammond, La., on Feb. 17. The Roadrunners lead the all-time series 14-6, including a 9-2 edge at home.
Roadrunners In Conference Openers
UTSA is 7-14 all-time in conference openers since its inaugural season 25 years ago. Coach Rippetoe-Blair is 2-3 in SLC openers and has lost three straight openers.
Second-half Rally Propels Buffalo To Victory
UB rallied from a seven-points deficit to score the victory and even up its record to 5-5 on the season. The Bulls went 12-for-23 from the field (52%) in the second half, while holding the Roadrunners to 11-of-38 (28%). They also used a 16-3 run in the first five minutes of the second half.
Dialing Long Distance
UTSA set new single-game records for most 3-pointers made (12) and attempts (32) in the loss vs. Buffalo. The previous mark of trifecters made was 11 set earlier this month against Davidson. The old record for attempts was 30 tries against Southland Conference foe Northwestern State on Feb. 28, 1993.
Strong Start, Slow Finish
UTSA showed no rust after an 11-day layoff by grabbing the early lead (15-8) and ending the half with a 33-26 edge. The Runners then started the second frame 1-for-8 and were outscored 16-3 to the begin the second half. They ended the game shooting 36% from the floor on 11-of-38 from the field.
Living Off The Charity Stripe
Buffalo made a living at the free throw line going 24-for-33 compared to UTSA’s 2-for-4 at the line. The Bulls made 29 trips to the foul line in the second half, while the Roadrunners made two visits.
Moving On Up
Dunson began the season 11th on the all-time list with 46 career made 3-pointers. She has leaped her way to fifth with 69 trifecters made. Dunson has connected on 23 3-point baskets this season. The Corpus Christi, Texas native, is nine 3-points basket shy of surpassing Julie Rampley (78).
Setting New Marks
Sandefur has collected 402 rebounds for 11th in the all-time rebounding list and is the 12th Runners to accumlate over 400 rebounds and 600 points. Fellow teammate, Mingee ranks 14th with 374 boards. Both players are on pace of cracking the top 10 list in rebounds.
Mingee became the 16th Runners to eclipse the 700 points mark. She currently ranks 16th with 702 points in the all-time scoring list. Also making a push in the scoring department is Sandefur who ranks 20th with 607 points.
Arizona State Survive Scare
ASU held off UTSA for a 78-64 victory. The Roadrunners came within six points (61-55) with 6:06 reminding in the game, but the Sun Devils 18-9 run in the last five minutes sealed the win for ASU. The Sun Devils had three players scoring in double figures with Westerberg leading the way with a game-high 17 points.
Ewalefo Double’s Up
The Las Vegas, Nev. native recorded her first double-double in her first start of the season against No. 10 Arizona State on Dec. 19 with 16 points and career-high 10 rebounds. The junior transfer went 7-for-12 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from the free throw line.
50’s Across The Board
UTSA has shot over 50 percent from the floor in four consecutive halves. The Runners were 26-of-50 for 52% against Davidson on Dec. 3 and repeated their performance with a season-high 53% against Arizona State on Dec. 19. The last time UTSA shot over 50% in consecutive games was against Quinnipiac on Dec. 31, 2004 and Louisiana Monroe on Jan. 6, 2005.
It’s Raining 3’s
Against Davidson, UTSA broke the old mark of 10 3-pointers made back on Feb. 28, 1993 against Northwestern State by nailing 11 3-pointers, while shooting a season-best 61% beyond the arc. Dunson made a career-high five treys, while Davis swished three trifecters.
Looking For Number 200
Head Coach Rae Rippetoe-Blair is seven wins shy of reaching 200 career wins.
High Expectations In The SLC
UTSA was picked to finish second in the SLC coaches and SID’s polls, behind Texas-Arlington.
Who’s Next For The Roadrunners
UTSA continues SLC play when they concluded its four-game homestand against McNeese State on Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. in the Convocation Center.