SAN ANTONIO - UTSA picked up an easy 41-point victory against McNeese State and look to continue its winning ways when they host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi this Saturday at the Convocation Center. The game can be heard and seen on go.UTSA.com with Stu Paul calling the action from courtside and Assistant Sports Information Director Carlos Valdez will provide color.
Series meeting: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi leads the all-time series 5-0 against UTSA. The Islanders took the first meeting 71-69 on Jan. 27 in Corpus Christi. TAMU-CC is 2-0 at the Convocation Center.
Last meeting: Kirbria Lewis’ game-winning fade-away jumper with one second remaining gave Texas A&M-Corpus Christi a 71-69 win against UTSA at the American Bank Center on Jan. 27. Junior Terrie Davis, who scored a team-high 21 points, recorded a career-high eight steals, seven of which came in the first half. Sophomore Tia Bogan tied her career-best with 17 points and sophomore Monica Gibbs collected her fifth double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
About Texas A&M-Corpus Christi: The Islanders needed overtime to defeat Lamar 85-81 at the American Bank Center. TAMU-CC is 13-13 on the season and are 8-5 in Southland Conference play. Kirbria Lewis is one of five Islanders averaging in double digits. Lewis leads the team with 14.6 points per game, while Nicole Duncan is second on the squad with 14.0 points per contest. Elisa Beagle ranks first with 8.1 rebounds per game.
Last time out: Senior Vivian Ewalefo’s career-high 28 points in 21 minutes of action led UTSA to an easy 87-46 victory against McNeese State at the Convocation Center. The Roadrunners shot a season-high 57.9 percent from the field, including 60% in the first half, while the Roadrunners’ defense held the Cowgirls to 29% shooting on the night. Ewalefo was 10-of-17 from the floor for the Roadrunners. Sophomore Monica Gibbs posted her second straight and ninth overall double-double of the year with 12 points and 10 rebounds and also dished out eight assists. Senior Ana Oliveira tied her career-high with 12 points and grabbed a career-best six boards.
Short night, no problem: In just 21 minutes of action against McNeese State, senior Vivian Ewalefo scored a career-high 28 points. She was 10-of-17 from the field. The Las Vegas, Nev., native scored 17 of her 28 points in the second half.
Sharing the ball: UTSA dished out a season-high 25 assists in the win against McNeese State. Junior Terrie Davis and sophomore Monica Gibbs led the way with eight dimes apiece.
Hot night in the Convo: UTSA shot a season-best 57.9 percent from the floor. The Roadrunners connected on 33-of-57 field goals for the entire game. UTSA was 18-of-30 from floor (60%) in the first half.
Gibbs’ 20 outing: Last season, sophomore Monica Gibbs didn’t have a game with 20 or more points, but this season she has four 20-point performance. Gibbs recorded her first 20-point outing against Eastern Washington on Nov. 24. Recently, Gibbs has posted three games with 20 or more points in the last four contests, including a career-high 23 at Southeastern Louisiana on Feb. 8. At Nicholls State, she added 22 points. Then against UTA, Gibbs posted 22 points.
Freeman dealing: Freshman Lynsey Freeman has stepped into the starting role sooner than she excepted. The Las Vegas, Nev., native made her first career start at UTEP on Nov. 11 and responded with 10 points. Meanwhile at UNLV, Freeman helped UTSA to a 70-62 win on Dec. 21 with 15 points. During the Wells Fargo New Year’s Classic, Freeman posted 15 points and made a career-high five 3-pointers. In the win against Memphis, she scored a career-high 17 points. On Feb. 10 at Nicholls State, she added 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
Scoring sensation: Senior Vivian Ewalefo is averaging a career-best 16.1 points per game. The Las Vegas native has scored double figures in 22 games. She started the season with six straight double-digit performance. Ewalefo scored a career-high 28 points against McNeese State on Feb. 22. Ewalefo scored 17 of her 28 points in the second half. On the year, she has five 20 point games.
What a difference a year makes: A year ago, sophomore Monica Gibbs shot 49 percent from the free throw line. This season, Gibbs has increased her percentage by 17% (66%). In 10 games this season, she has shot 70% or better from the free throw line, compare to three times during the 2005-06 season. Against Texas-Arlington, Gibbs made a career-high 12 freebies.
Climbing the charts: Junior Terrie Davis stands in second place on UTSA’s chart with 100 career 3-pointers. The Houston, Texas, achieve this mark hitting two 3-pointers against McNeese State, to surpass Nicole Dunson (98). Davis is the second UTSA player to connect on 100 or more 3-pointers.
Playing all the way: With a short bench this season, UTSA’s starters are averaging 33 minutes per game, while in SLC play they are playing 34 minutes. Four of the five starters are averaging over 30 minutes per contest. In 15 of the 24 games played this season, at least one player has played the entire game. Freshman Lynsey Freeman leads the team with eight complete games, while junior Terrie Davis has played in six complete games. Sophomore Monica Gibbs is second the team with seven complete games.
Double-Double tandem: Senior Vivian Ewalefo and sophomore Monica Gibbs have combined for 14 double-doubles this season. Gibbs leads the team with nine double-doubles on the season. In February, she has collected four double-doubles, with her latest coming against McNeese State with 12 points and 10 rebounds. On Jan. 27, she recorded fifth double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Gibbs collected three double-doubles during the month of December. The Stillwater, Okla., native posted her first one against Eastern Washington with 20 points and 14 rebounds. In just two seasons at UTSA, Gibbs has already recorded 12 career double-doubles.
Ewalefo has recorded fifth double-double on the year, giving her 12 for her career. The Las Vegas native posted her first against Eastern Washington with 14 points and 10 rebounds on Nov. 24. Ewalefo collected her second and third double-double in the month of December. Against Texas-Arlington, she added her fourth with 19 points and 10 rebounds on Jan. 23. In the win at Nicholls State on Feb. 10 , Ewalefo picked up her fifth with 16 points and 10 boards.
