March 5, 2006
Contact: Carlos Valdez III. (210) 458-4930
UTSA hosts Southeastern Louisiana in first round of O’Reilly Auto Parts/Southland Conference Tournament
Game Notes | Live Audio | Tournament Central
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The No. 3 seed UTSA women’s basketball team welcomes the No. 6 seed Southeastern Louisiana to the Convocation Center for the first round of the O’Reilly Auto Parts/Southland Conference Tournament on Monday, March 6, at 7 p.m.
UTSA Roadrunners (16-11, 11-5 SLC)
vs.
Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions (11-15, 8-4 SLC)
Monday, March 6 - 7 p.m.
Convocation Center - San Antonio, Texas
Last Outing:
Junior Vivian Ewalefo, who was named Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year and fist team all-ALC, and freshman Monica Gibbs, who received SLC Freshman of the Year, combined for 37 points to led UTSA past Northwestern State Lady Demons, 69-58, on March 3 at the Prather Coliseum in Natchitoches, La. Ewalefo recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 20 points and career-high 17 rebounds, while Gibbs posted her second double-double with a career-high 17 points and collected 12 rebounds. Seniors Lacy Mingee, earned SLC honorable mention, and Katie Sandefur scored 6 and 8 points, respectively. The Roadrunners’ defense clamped down on the Lady Demons’ offense, holding them to 27 percent shooting for the game. UTSA hauled in a season-high 53 rebounds and dominated the paint 38-18.
Setting The Scene
The No. 3 seed UTSA set to host the No. 6 seed Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions in the first round of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Southland Conference Tournament this Monday, March 6, at the Convocation Center. Tip is set for 7 p.m.
Scouting Report On Southeastern Louisiana
Southeastern Louisiana enters the SLC tournament with a three-game losing streak, after winning a season-high six games. The Lady Lions dropped their regular season finale to Lamar, 59-49, on March 3 at the University Center. Leading scorer and rebounder for SLU is junior Brentia Williams with 11.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Southeastern Louisiana ranks second in 3-point field goal percentage at .358, which is second best in SLC, but also defend the 3-ball well allowing opponents to 29%, which is second in the league.
Last Meeting Between UTSA and Southeastern La.
SLU hot shooting in the second half to propelled them to a 66-63 win over UTSA on Feb. 4 in Hammond, La., at the University Center. Sophomore Brook Necaise scored a career-high 18 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the floor, including 4-for-4 from behind the arc. Ewalefo posted a double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds to led UTSA.
All-time Series
UTSA and SLU split in the regular season with each team winning at its own home court; however; the Roadrunners lead the all-time series 15-7 and are 10-2 at home.
Blair vs. Jones
Since 2000, coach Rippetoe-Blair is 7-1 vs. Coach Jones and is a perfect 4-0 at home. The last time SLU defeated UTSA in the Convocation Center was on March 5, 2003 in the first round of the SLC Tournament with a 66-63 win.
Roadrunners Garner SLC Awards
Four Runners earned SLC honors this season. Ewalefo was named Newcomer of the Year and selected first team all-SLC. Gibbs picked up the Freshman of the Year award, which is the second time in a row UTSA had a player named Freshman of the Year. Dunson also collected SLC honors. She was named to the third team all-SLC team. Finally, Mingee received all-SLC honorable mention.
Double Take
Ewalefo and Gibbs posted double-doubles in the win against Northwestern State. This marked the second time this season that both collected double-doubles in the same game. The first time the duo posted double-doubles was in the double overtime win against Texas-Arlington on Feb. 16.
Exorcised The Demons
UTSA ended a four-game losing streak against Northwestern State at the Prather Coliseum.
Home Sweet Home
The Roadrunners are 9-4 in the Convocation Center this season, including 6-1 in conference play.
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 sixth in field goal percentage (.471). Point guard Monica Gibbs stands second averaging 4.6 assists per game, while Ewalefo is fifth in the league with 7.5 rebounds per game and ninth in scoring (12.1).
Davis Connects From Long Distance
Davis entered intermission with two points. 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 47% and ranks fifth in the SLC also. At the free throw line, Mingee leads the team with a 75% accuracy. Mingee is 13th averaging 0.77 blocks per game.
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%, 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%. Her 51 triecters is six shy of the single-season record of 56 3-pointers made by Tammy Rogers during the 1990-91 season.
Double Up Vivian
The Las Vegas, Nev., native has scored in double figures 16 times this season and has led them in scoring 10 times. Also has posted six double-doubles this season.
Game On For Sandefur
Sandefur is on paced of became the all-time leader in career games played. She passed with former UTSA player Kim Reed who had appeared in 112 games.
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
The Roadrunners would either face the of the UTA or the winner of the Texas State/Louisiana-Monroe on march 8 in the semifinals of the O’Reilly Auto Parts SLC Tounrament.