Feb. 16, 2006
Contact: Carlos Valdez III. (210) 458-4930
UTSA women’s basketball set to host league leading Texas-Arlington in SLC match up
SAN ANTONIO - UTSA women’s basketball team looks to remain unbeaten at home in SLC play when they host Texas-Arlington this Thursday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Convocation Center.
UTSA Roadrunners (13-8, 8-3 SLC)
vs.
Texas-Arlington Mavericks (15-6, 9-1 SLC)
Thursday, Feb. 16 • 7 p.m.
Convocation Center • San Antonio, Texas
Last Outing
Junior forward Vivian Ewalefo posted her fourth double-double of the season with 23 points and 10 rebounds in the 53-50 win over Lamar on Feb. 11 at the Montagne Center in Beaumont, Texas. the Las Vegas, Nev., native has recorded three double-double in her last four games. Senior center Lacy Mingee added 10 points and grabbed six rebounds. After cold shooting in the first half, UTSA heated up in the second frame shooting 50 percent from the floor. The Roadrunners defense’s held Lamar to 27% shooting from the floor in the second half, including 1-of-5 from downtown.
Scouting Report On Texas-Arlington
UTA enters tonight’s game with a three-game winning streak. The Mavericks are 9-1 in SLC play and are a perfect 4-0 on the road this season. In their last game, the Mavs pounded Northwestern State 83-43 at Texas Hall in Arlington, Texas. UTA held Northwestern State to 22% shooting from the floor and forced 29 turnovers. Junior guard Terra Wallace leads the SLc in scoring averaging 17.9 ppg and ranks first on the team with 25 block shots and steals 44. Wallace also leads the leaguw in assists with 4.76 assists per game. Junior forward Tojjinay Thompson ranks first on the team in rebounding (6.3 rpg).
Last Meeting Between UTSA and UTSA
Last season UTSA and UTA split in its meeting with each team winning at their own floor. In their first meeting, the Mavs defeated the Runners 53-47 on Feb.10 at Texas Hall. UTSA edge UTA 48-46 on Feb. 26 at the Convocation Center. Lacy Mingee’s jumper with 02 seconds left gave UTSA the win. The Roadrunners offense’s shot 42% from the field, while holding UTA to 37%. Also UTSA collected 14 steals.
All-time Series
Texas-Arlington leads the all-time series 20-16 over UTSA, but the Runners have defended their home court with a 12-7 advantage, including winning the last four meetings at the Convo. They have gone 3-3 in the last six meetings.
Blair vs. Capps
Since taking over the program in 2000, coach Rippetoe-Blair is 7-4 vs. coach Capps, including a perfect 5-0 in the Convocation Center.
Pre-season Favorites Face Each Other
Thursday’s match up features the top two teams picked 1-2, respectively, in both the coaches and SID’s polls.
Home Sweet Home
The Roadrunners are 7-3 mark in the Convocation Center this season, including 5-0 in conference play.
Miscues Turned Into Loss
In the loss to McNeese State on Feb. 9, UTSA committed a season-high 25 miscues. The Cowgirls capitalized on the UTSA’s mishaps with 25 points and 10 fast break points.
Double Feature
Ewalefo record her fourth double-double on the season and third in the last four games. The Las Vegas, Nev., native posted her first double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds on Dec. 19, 2005.
Marking Her 3-Point Territory
In her second season at UTSA Nicole Dunson began the year 11th all-time list with 46 career made 3-pointers. She has surpassed former UTSA great Tammy Rogers for third with 91 trifecters made and setting her sight at Rosie Smith for second on the list. The sharpshooter has connected on 45 3-point baskets this season, which tops the team and leads the team in 3-point shooting percentage at 47% and ranks first in the SLC. Dunson ranks sixth in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage.
Runners Ranks In SLC
Dunson leads the league in 3-point field goal percentage (.469) and 3-pointers made per game (2.02) and ranks fourth in field goal percentage (.480). Point guard Monica Gibbs stands fourth averaging 4.15 assists per game, while center Lacy Mingee ranks sixth in field goal percentage (.472). Ewalefo is seventh in the league with 6.8 rebounds per game.
Hot Shooting Propels SLU
Despite Ewalefo’s double-double of 23 points and a career-high 13 rebounds, Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions used a 14-0 run with the help of four consecutive 3-pointers midway through the second half to defeat the Roadrunners 66-63.
UTSA Handles Nicholls State
Ewalefo and Mingee combined for 40 of UTSA’s 67 points in the win over Nicholls State on Feb. 2 at the Stopher Gym. Ewalefo collected her second double-double of the season with game-highs 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Mingee chipped in with 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor. The Runners defense suffocated the Lady Colonels offense to 30 percent shooting from the field in the second half.
Road Worries For the Birds
This season the Roadrunners are 3-5 away from the Alamo City, including a 3-3 mark in SLC play. The last time UTSA had a winning road record was during the 2002-2003 season with an 7-5 mark.
200th Career Victory
Coach Rippetoe-Blair won her 200th career game with the win over Nicholls State on Feb. 2.
Another 10+ Season
The win over Northwestern State secured Coach Rippetoe-Blair’s sixth straight season with 10 or more 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 stays home for a SLC match up against I-35 rivial Texas State this Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. the game can be seen on Time Warner Cable.