Jan. 20, 2006
Contact: Carlos Valdez III. (210) 458-4930
Women's Hoops Host League Leading Stephen F. Austin
SAN ANTONIO - The UTSA women's basketball team begins a three-game homestand Saturday against SLC foe Stephen F. Austin. Tip is set for 2 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
UTSA Roadrunners (8-7, 3-1 SLC)
vs.
Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks (11-5, 5-0 SLC)
Saturday, Jan. 21 • 2 p.m.
Convocation Center • San Antonio, Texas
Last Outing
Senior forward Katie Sandefur’s career-high 21 points paced the UTSA women’s basketball team to a 75-71 overtime win over Sam Houston State Thursday night at Johnson Coliseum in Southland Conference action. Senior guard Nicole Dunson and junior forward Vivian Ewalefo chipped in with 17 points apiece, while sophomore guard Terrie Davis added 11 points and a team-high six assists and six steals. The Bearkats were led by senior guard Angel Brown’s 17 points and eight assists. Sophomore guard Sarah Hilton scored 15 points, while senior forward Jamie Davison added 12 points. The Roadrunners shot a season-best 84 percent from the free throw line, connecting on 26-of-31 from the line.
Setting The Scene
UTSA picked up its third SLC win Thursday night against SHSU. The Roadrunners return home for a three-game homestand beginning with Stephen F. Austin this Saturday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. in the Convocation Center.
Scouting Report On The Ladyjacks
Stephen F. Austin is tied with Texas-Arlington atop the SLC standing with a 5-0 record and an 11-5 overall mark. The Lumberjacks enter tonight’s game with a six-game winning streak. During that strech, SFA’s margin of victory has been 22.5 points per game, including a 82-49 pounding of Texas State Thursday night in Nacogdoches, Texas. Senior forward LaToya Mills leads the team in scoring averaging 17.4 points and is second in the conference. SFA’s 75.4 points per contest is the tops in the league.
Last Meeting Between UTSA and Stephen F. Austin
UTSA went 1-0 last season against Stephen F. Austin. In their only meeting, the Roadrunners handled the Lady Lumberjacks, 56-44, on Mar. 1, 2005, in the Convocation Center. SFA leads the all-time series 27-3 and 13-3 in the Convocation Center. UTSA has won the last two contests at home.
Katie’s Dominance Over Bearkats
Sandefur scored 11 of her 21 points in overtime, including nine straight points. At the free throw line, she went a perfect 11-for-11 and was 6-for-6 in overtime.
Free Aide For The Runners
UTSA shot a season-best 84% from free throw line connecting on 26-of-31. The Runners were 12-of-14 in overtime.
ULM Squeaks By UTSA
Senior forward Michelle Biley’s bank shot with two seconds left in the game, gave Louisiana-Monroe Lady Indians a 62-61 victory over the UTSA women’s basketball team. ULM had three players scored in double figures, led by Biley’s 16 points and team-high seven rebounds. Mingee held game-high honors with 18 points, while Davis and Ewalefo chipped in with 14 and 10 points, respectively. Gibbs hauled in a game-high 10 rebounds, while collecting three steals.
UTSA Handles McNeese State
Ewalefo and Sandefur combined for 38 points as the UTSA defeated McNeese State 70-58. Ewalefo led the team with 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Sandefur added 13 points. Dunson chipped in with 13 points. UTSA used a 18-3 run in the final 4:00 minutes to close out the half with a 38-29 lead. Midway though the second half the Roadrunners went on a 11-0 run to seal the victory.
Ewalefo’s Career Day Against Cowgirls
The junior-transfer out of Barton County Community College posted a career-high 25 points paced UTSA. Ewalefo was 9-for-16 from the floor and 7-of-8 from the free throw line.
Marking Her Territory
Dunson began the season 11th on the all-time list with 46 career made 3-pointers. She has leaped her way to fourth with 80 trifectas made. Dunson has connected on 34 3-point baskets this season. The Corpus Christi, Texas native, moved into fourth place of the all-time 3-pointers made (80), surpassing Juile Rampley. She leads the team in 3-point shooting percentage at 47% and ranks second in the SLC.
Making Noise In The Scoring and Rebounding Dept...
Sandefur has collected 413 rebounds for 11th in the all-time rebounding list and is the 12th Runners to accumulate over 400 rebounds and 600 points. Fellow teammate, Mingee ranks 14th with 392 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 737 points in the all-time scoring list and is six points away from passing Latifa Northern for 15th. Also making a push in the scoring department is Sandefur who ranks 20th with 647 points.
Quick Start
The 2-0 start for UTSA marked the second time Coach Blair opened SLC play winning the first two conference games. The last time she started 2-0 was during the 2001-02 season.
Runners Pounce Lions In SLC Opener
Davis’ career-highs of 22 points and five 3-pointers paced UTSA to a 75-56 rout against Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions. Dunson and Fox each scored 10 points apiece, while Ewalefo collected a career-high 11 rebounds. After allowing SLU to shoot over 50 percent in the first half, UTSA picked up its defense, holding SLU to 17% shooting on 5-of-29 from the field in the second half. The Runners dished out a season-best 20 assists, with Gibbs handing out a team-high five dimes.
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 trifectas 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.
Looking For Number 200
Head Coach Rae Rippetoe-Blair is four 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
The Roadrunners plays host to Northwestern State on Jan. 26 in the Convocation Center at 7 p.m.