March 1, 2006
Contact: Carlos Valdez III. (210) 458-4930
UTSA Women’s Hoops Wrap Up Regular Season Against Northwestern State
Game Notes | Live Audio
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The UTSA women’s basketball team heads to Natchitoches, La., for its regular season finale against SLC foe Northwestern State on Friday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m. in Prather Coliseum.
UTSA Roadrunners (15-11, 10-5 SLC)
at
Northwestern State Lady Demons (11-15, 4-11 SLC)
Friday, March 3 - 6:30 p.m.
Prather Coliseum - Natchitoches, La.
Last Outing
UTSA ended its two-game skid with a 72-52 win over Sam Houston State in Southland Conference action on Feb. 25 in the Convocation Center. Sophomore Terrie Davis led the way with 19 points. She also tied her career-high of five 3-pointers made in game. Senior Lacy Mingee added 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while junior Vivian Ewalefo chipped in with 10 points. UTSA held a 41-30 advantage in rebounding and also outscored SHSU 30-16 in the paint. As a team, UTSA collected a season-high 20 assists, with freshman Monica Gibbs handing out a game-high nine dimes. The Runners’ defense held the Bearkats to 36 percent shooting from the floor.
Scouting Report On Northwestern State
Northwestern State is in a three-way tie for the 8th seed with Lamar and Sam Houston State. The Lady Demons are 11-15 overall and 4-11 in league play. Northwestern State is coming off an 88-79 loss to Texas State on Feb. 28 in Natchitoches, La. The Lady Demons have lost 10 of their last 11 games, including four in a row.
Last Meeting Between UTSA and Northwestern St.
UTSA held on for the 75-63 victory over Northwestern State on Jan. 26 at the Convocation Center. Katie Sandefur led the Roadrunners with 17 points, while Lacy Mingee scored 12 points. Sheronda Bell held game-high honor with 31 points.
All-Time Series
Northwestern State leads the all-time series 25-6 against UTSA. The Roadrunners had dropped six consecutive games to the Lady Demons, but the win on Jan. 26 snapped that streak. The Runners are 3-13 at Prather Coliseum and have not won their since Jan. 2, 2003.
Davis Connects From Long Distance
Davis entered intermission with two points in the Sam Houston State win last Saturday. She began the second half with back-to-back 3-pointers en route to a 17-point outing. Davis’ five 3-pointers tied her career-high she set on Jan. 5 against Southeastern Louisiana; all of her treys came in the second half.
Lacy Rules The Paint
Mingee established post dominance from start to finish against Sam Houston State. The Bearkats had no answer for Mingee in the paint. She scored 12 of her 17 points within 2 feet of the basket. The Piedmont, Okla., native shot 6-for-9 from the field. This year Mingee tops the Runners in field goal percentage averaging 48 percent and ranks fourth in the SLC also. At the free throw line, Mingee leads the team with a 73 percent accuracy.
Downtown Dunson Chasing 3-point Marks
Against SFA, Dunson surpassed former UTSA player Rosie Smith for second all-time with 97 career 3-pointers made. The sharpshooter has connected on 51 3-point baskets this season, which ranks first on the team and leads the squad in 3-point shooting percentage at 47 percent, which ranks first in the SLC. Dunson stands sixth in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage. Dunson trails Philicia Ross for the number one spot. She is the all-time leader in 3-point field goal percentage at 43 percent. Her 51 triecters is six shy of the single-season record of 56 3-pointers made by Tammy Rogers during the 1990-91 season.
Closing Out Seasons With A Bang
In the last five seasons, UTSA has won four of its last five regular season finales. The only time the Roadrunners lost was during the 2004-05 season. Texas State defeated UTSA 61-58 in overtime in San Marcos, Texas on March 3, 2005.
Runners Ranks In SLC
Dunson leads the league in 3-point field goal percentage (.468) and ranked third in 3-pointers made per game (1.96) and seventh in field goal percentage (.471). Point guard Monica Gibbs stands second averaging 4.75 assists per game, while center Mingee ranks fourth in field goal percentage (.484) and 19th in scoring (9.9 ppg). Mingee also ranks 13th in block shot in the SLC averaging 0.77 blocks per game. Ewalefo is fifth in the league with 7.1 rebounds per game.
Double Up Vivian
The Las Vegas, Nev., native has scored in double figures 15 times this season and has led them in scoring nine times. Also has posted five double-doubles this season.
Game On For Sandefur
Sandefur is on pace of becoming the all-time leader in career games played. Currently, she is tied with former UTSA player Kim Reed with 112 games played.
Flip-Flop Of Halves
UTSA started of the game red hot against Texas State. The Roadrunners were 17-of-33 for 52 percent and led by 27-points at halftime. The second half was a different story, the Runners converted only eight field goals in 35 field goal attempts and shot 23 percent. On the other hand, Texas State shot 23 percent in the first half and exploded in the second frame for 48 percent and outscored UTSA 48-21.
Home Sweet Home
The Roadrunners are 9-4 in the Convocation Center this season, including 6-1 in conference play.
200th Career Victory
Coach Rippetoe-Blair won her 200th career game with a 67-57 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. The win against Sam Houston State also gave coach Rippetoe-Blair another 10 plus wins in SLC play for the sixth year in-a-row.
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 prepares for the 205-06 Southland Conference Tournament on March 6 at the Convocation Center. The Roadrunners would either face Texas State or Southeastern Louisiana.