Feb. 17, 2006
Contact: Carlos Valdez III. (210) 458-4930
UTSA looks for 10th SLC win against I-35 rival Texas State
Game Notes | Live Audio
SAN ANTONIO - The Roadrunners are coming off a 68-67 double-overtime win over league-leading Texas-Arlington on Feb. 16 in the Convocation Center. UTSA looks to continue its winning ways this Saturday, Feb. 18, when it hosts rival Texas State at 2 p.m. in the Convocation Center.
UTSA Roadrunners (14-9, 9-3 SLC)
vs.
Texas State Bobcats (13-9, 5-6 SLC)
Saturday, Feb. 18 • 2 p.m.
Convocation Center • San Antonio, Texas
Last Outing:
Junior forward Vivian Ewalefo and freshman guard Monica Gibbs each posted double-doubles to pace UTSA to a 68-67 double-overtime victory over league-leading Texas-Arlington in Southland Conference action Thursday night at the Convocation Center. Ewalefo led the team with 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as she collected her second straight double-double and fifth on the year. Gibbs set career-highs with 15 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, as she collected her first double-double. UTSA was able to overcome a cold shooting performance in the second half, by shutting down UTA’s offense to 33 percent shooting from the field.
Setting The Scene
UTSA is coming off a double overtime win against Texas-Arlington on Feb. 16 and looks to extend its winning streak to three against I-35 rival Texas State on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Convocation Center.
Scouting Report On Texas State
Texas State visits San Antonio with a 13-9 overall mark and a 5-6 record in SLC play. The Bobcats have dropped three of their last four games. They snapped a two-game losing streak with a 70-67 win over Lamar on Feb. 9 in San Marcos. Texas State started off the season winning its first seven games; since then they have gone 6-9. The Bobcats enter today’s game after dropping a 71-67 decision to McNeese State on Feb. 11 in Lake Charles, La.
Last Meeting Between UTSA and Texas State
Last season UTSA and Texas State split their two meetings with each team winning at their own floor. In the first meeting, the Roadrunners edged the Bobcats, 71-69, on Feb. 12 in the Convocation Center. Texas State defeated UTSA, 61-58, in overtime on March 4 at Strahan Coliseum.
All-Time Series
Texas State leads the all-time series 25-20 and 12-11 in the Convo. In the last 10 meetings, UTSA has posted a 7-3 mark against Texas State, including 4-2 at home.
Blair vs. Fox
Since taking over the program in 2000, head coach Rae Rippetoe-Blair is 9-4 vs. Texas State head coach Suzanne Fox, including 6-2 in the Convocation Center.
Gibbs Shines On National Stage
Monica Gibbs had her best game of the season in the UTA win and what a great way to showcase her talent on national TV. The Stillwater, Okla., native posted her first career double-double and was two assists shy of a triple-double. Gibbs scored career-highs of 15 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists.
Viva Vivian
Since getting her first start on Dec. 19, 2005, in Tempe, Ariz., Vivian Ewalefo has been the driving force to UTSA’s success in posting a 9-6 mark. She has led the Roadrunners in scoring seven times and in rebounding 10 times, and also has recorded five double-doubles
Keep Playing and Playing
In the double overtime win over UTA, Nicole Dunson was the only player from both teams to play all 50 minutes.
Home Sweet Home
The Roadrunners are 8-3 mark in the Convocation Center this season, including 6-0 in conference play.
Double Feature
Ewalefo record her fifth double-double on the season and fourth in the last five 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 on the all-time list with 46 career made 3-pointers. She has surpassed former UTSA great Tammy Rogers for third with 92 trifectas and is setting her sight at Rosie Smith for second on the list. The sharpshooter has connected on 46 3-point baskets this season, which tops the team, and leads the team in 3-point shooting percentage at 47 percent, which 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 4.33 assists per game, while center Lacy Mingee ranks sixth in field goal percentage (.473). Ewalefo is seventh in the league with 7.0 rebounds per game.
UTSA Edges Lamar
The Roadrunners overcame 22 turnovers with hot shooting in the second half (50%). Ewalefo led UTSA with her fourth double-double of the season with 21 points and 10.
Miscues Turned Into Loss
In the loss to McNeese State on Feb. 9, UTSA committed a season-high 25 turnovers. The Cowgirls capitalized on UTSA’s miscues with 25 points and 10 fast break points.
Hot Shooting Propels SLU
Despite Ewalefo’s double-double of 23 points and a career-high 13 rebounds, Southeastern Louisiana used a 14-0 run with the help of four consecutive 3-pointers midway through the second half to defeat the Roadrunners 66-63.
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
The Roadrunners hit the road for an SLC match up against Stephen F. Austin on Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. in Nacogdoches, Texas.