Opening Tip: UTSA collected a share of the Southland Conference RegularSeason Championship after dealing Stephen F. Austin a 65-51 loss inNacogdoches last Saturday. The second-seeded Roadrunners begin defenseof the their conference title when they face No. 7 McNeese State at2:30 p.m. in the Merrell Center at Katy.
Roadrunners On The Web: Fans can follow the Roadrunners this season atgoUTSA.com. All regular season and postseason games can be heard for free with Stu Paul providingplay-by-play analysis (stream provided by Yahoo! Sports). Livestats will be available at no cost.
Quick Facts:
? This will be the 33rd meeting between UTSA and McNeese State and second this season
? The Roadrunners won the first meeting, 61-50, in Lake Charles, La.
? UTSA has won three of the last five meetings
? UTSA shared with UT Arlington for the regular season
? Senior Monica Gibbs has tied an NCAA single-season record with threetriple-doubles this year and her three career triple-doubles rank in athird-place tie with former Texas Tech standout Sheryl Swoopes
? Gibbs leads the league with 6.7 assists per game (No. 5 NCAA) andranks third in scoring (15.5 ppg) and fourth in rebounding (9.4 rpg)
? Gibbs was named SLC Player of the Year and the league’s DefensivePlayer of the Year to go along with first-team all-conference
? Senior Onika Anderson stands second with a 53.2 shooting percent from the floor and leads the SLC at 10.4 rebounds per game
? Anderson was tabbed SLC First-Team All-Conference
? Sophomore Amber Gregg tops the SLC with 2.6 3-pointers per game
? UTSA ranks second in SLC scoring defense at 61.0 points per game
Series Meeting: McNeese State leads the all-time series, 17-15, againstUTSA. The Roadrunners took the first meeting, 61-50, in Lake Charles onJan. 10. The Runners have won three of the last five meetings, but thiswill be the first time both squads meet in a neutral court.
Last Time Out: UTSA clinched a share of the Southland ConferenceRegular Season Championship with a 65-51 win at Stephen F. Austin onMarch 7. It marked the program’s second regular season title in schoolhistory and first in a half dozen years. The Roadrunners, who finishedthe 16-game league slate at 14-2 along with UT Arlington, improved to21-8 overall in winning their sixth game in a row (19 of 21 overall).They also won for just the second time in 18 all-time visits to JohnsonColiseum.
Scouting McNeese State: The Cowgirls enter the conference tournament asthe seventh seed after posting a 6-10 league mark and ended the season14-15 overall. McNeese State is coming off a 70-60 win against CentralArkansas last Saturday night. The Cowgirls are led by second-teamall-conference performer Shante Perry, who is averaging 16.0 points pergame. Meanwhile, Ashlyn Baggett ranks second on the team at 10.8 pointsper contest.
Gibbs Makes History: Senior Monica Gibbs has stamped her name into theNCAA record book after tying a 23-year old single-season mark withthree triple-doubles this season. The Stillwater, Okla., native tiedCheryl Taylor of Tennessee Tech, who achieved this accomplishmentduring the 1985-1986 season. Gibbs’ is also tied with former Texas Techstandout Sheryl Swoopes for third on the career chart with her threecareer triple-doubles.
Grab A Hand Full: All-America candidate senior Monica Gibbs grabbed herleague leading fifth and third straight SLC Player of the Week honorthis season. Gibbs led UTSA two a pair of wins against Texas State(March 4) and at Stephen F. Austin last Saturday. The Stillwater,Okla., native averaged 24 points, nine rebounds and 7.5 assists pergame last week. Her efforts also helped the Roadrunners claim a shareof the regular season title.
Postseason Honors: Senior Monica Gibbs became the program’s firstplayer to receive the Southland Conference Player of the Year and theleague’s Defensive Player of the Year. Gibbs produced career highsacross the board in her final campaign, scoring 15.5 points, 9.4rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. The Stillwater, Okla., native is theRoadrunners to be named back-to-back first-team (Nikki Hendrix2003-04/Vivian Ewafelo 2005-06). Coupled with her Defensive Player ofthe Year honor, she is only the second player in the conference historyto win two individual awards in the same year (Lamar’s Shanta Vanzanat2001). Senior Onika Anderson joined Gibbs on the first team. Anderson’s 13double-doubles ranked second on the team and also led the conference inrebounding at 10.3 rpg. Meanwhile, senior Ryba Pawlaczky wqas anhonorable mention all-conference choice. The Wroclaw, Poland, nativeaveraged career-high number with 10.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Head Coach Rae Rippetoe-Blair picked her third SLC Coach of the Yeartrophy after leading UTSA to its second straight 20-win season (21-8)and a share of the conference regular season title. She was firsthonored with the award in 2001 and again two years later.
Earn Your Stripes: Senior Monica Gibbs set a single-game school recordwith 17 free throws made and 24 attempts against Texas State on March 4.
What An Exit: Senior Monica Gibbs made her last performance memorable,as she scored a career-high 29 points en route to leading theRoadrunners past I-35 rival Texas State Wednesday night. Meanwhile,seniors Onika Anderson and Ryba Pawlaczyk also made the most of theirlast game at Convo. Anderson netted 18 points on a 9-for-12 shootingperformance, while Pawlaczyk added 13 points.
Gibbs Collects Second WBCA Honorable Mention Honors: Senior MonicaGibbs collected her second WBCA honorable mention accolade this season.Gibbs first earned this award during December. The Stillwater, Okla.,native led the Roadrunners to a 4-1 mark and averaged 15.2 points and11.6 rebounds per game. Recently, she picked her second one afternearly posting a triple-double with 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 8.6assists per game during the month for February. She also collected apair of triple-doubles and two double-doubles that month.
Gibbs Picks Up Fourth SLC Weekly Award: Senior Monica Gibbs picked upher second consecutive Southland Conference Player of the Week honor,the league office announced on March 2. It was the SLC Player of theYear candidate’s conference-leading fourth weekly award of the seasonand it marks the fourth time in the last five weeks that a Roadrunnershas been honored, three of which have gone to Gibbs. The Stillwater,Okla., native averaged 22 points, 9.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists inleading UTSA to a pair of wins against Northwestern State (Feb. 25) andat Lamar (Feb. 28) last week. She recorded a pair of double-doubles topush her career total to 34.
Gibbs Garners SLC Honors: All-America Monica Gibbs was tabbed theleague’s Player of the Week for the third time this season, theconference office announced on Feb. 23. The Stillwater, Okla., nativejust missed out on averaging a triple-double in UTSA’s two wins lastweek with 18.0 points, 9.5 assists and 9.0 rebounds per game. Thesenior guard posted an NCAA single-season record-tying thirdtriple-double with 19 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds in theRoadrunners’ 74-52 win at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Feb. 18.Gibbs then netted 18 points to along with eight assists and sevenrebounds in the 85-54 victory against Sam Houston State on Feb. 21.
Block Party: Senior Ryba Pawlaczyk greeted Northwestern State playerswith a career-high six blocks on Feb. 25. Pawlaczyk leads the team 52block shots and ranks seventh all-time with 62 career stuffs. Her 52blocks currently stands second-best in a season.
U Haul: Senior Onika Anderson posted the second best reboundingperformance in school history with 23 boards in the win against SamHouston State on Feb. 21. Anderson hauled in 16 of her 23 rebounds inthe first half. The Pine Bluff, Ark., native set a single-season markwith 300 rebounds.
Scoring From Downtown: UTSA made 20 field goals against UT Arlington onFeb. 14, with 12 of their 20 baskets coming from beyond the arc.
Onika Earns POW Honors: Senior Onika Anderson became the thirddifferent UTSA player to collect SLC Women’s Basketball Player of theWeek honors on Feb. 9. The Pine Bluff, Ark., native, averaged adouble-double with 15.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in leading theRoadrunners to a pair of wins at Sam Houston State (Feb. 4) and againstSoutheastern Louisiana (Feb. 7).
Runners In The SLC: UTSA has several players among the league’s topperformers this season. Senior Monica Gibbs is one of three Roadrunnersranking in the top 15 in scoring at 15.5 points per game and also leadsthe SLC in assists per game (6.7). Senior Onika Anderson and sophomoreAmber Gregg stand sixth and 12th, respectively. The Runners have threeplayers ranking in the top five in rebounding. Anderson’s 10.4 broadsper contest leads the league, while Gibbs is fourth at 9.4 rpg andsenior Ryba Pawlaczyk is fifth at 9.2 rpg. Anderson is second in theconference in field goal percentage at 53.2 percent. Meanwhile, Greggis first in 3-pointers made at 2.6 a clip.
Cardiac Kids: UTSA has lived on the edge this season with five gamescoming to wire. UTSA escaped with a 97-89 overtime victory at CentralArkansas on Feb. 11. In their last two home contests, the Runners cameout with a pair of one-victories against Lamar (Jan. 31) andSoutheastern Louisiana (Feb. 7). Both games came down to wire as thevisiting team missed on potential game winners. Meanwhile, UTSA had toovercome two second half deficits on the road, at Texas State (Jan. 28)and at Sam Houston State (Feb. 4). The Roadrunners trailed the Bobcatsby 17-points and again were down by as many as nine points to theBearkats.
Gibbs Tabbed SLC POW: Senior Monica Gibbs picked up her second weeklyaward of the season, after leading UTSA to a pair of thrillingvictories at Texas State (Jan. 28) and against Lamar (Jan.31). TheStillwater, Okla., native averaged a double-double with 13.5 points and11.0 rebounds per game to go along with 5.5 assists. Gibbs had 18points and 10 rebounds in the come-from-behind win at Texas State. Shethen followed that performance with 12 points and a dozen boards in theone-point win versus the Lady Cardinals.
It’s Good To Receive: UTSA connected on a season-high 22 free throws inthe win against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Jan. 24. TheRoadrunners also shot a season-best 84.6 percent from the charitystripe.
Jack’em Up: UTSA once again set the single-game mark for 3-pointattempts with 39 against UT Arlington on Feb.14, breaking the oldschool mark of 35 tries set at UT Arlington on Jan. 17.
In The Books: UTSA’s 53-point win against Nicholls on Jan. 14, was the fourth-largest victory margin in school-history.
Defensive Clinic: The Roadrunners displayed a stellar defense againstNicholls on Jan. 14, as they held the Colonels to 14 field goals and 33points, including 13 in the second half, and 22.2 percent shooting.
Bench Production: Freshman Cori Cooper came off the bench to scored acareer-high 21 points, while junior Alysse Davis also added 15 versusNicholls on Jan. 14. The Roadrunners held a 48-7 advantage over theColonels’ reserves.
Amber Tabbed SLC POW: Sophomore Amber Gregg picked up her first careerSLC Player of the Week honors on Jan. 12. The Austin native led UTSA toa pair of wins against Tulsa (Jan. 5) and at McNeese State (Jan. 10).She averaged 21.0 points and 2.5 steals per game.
Raining 3’s: UTSA drained a school-record 13 3-pointers in the winagainst Tulsa on Jan. 5. The previous mark was 12 three balls versusBuffalo on Dec. 30, 2005. Sophomore Amber Gregg led the assault with acareer-high six treys.
Balanced Attack: UTSA registered its sixth game, with four playersscoring in double figures. The first game was against Rice on Jan. 3,then versus Lamar on Jan. 31, followed by back-to-back outing at SamHouston State on Feb. 4 and versus Southeastern Louisiana on Feb. 7.UTSA collected its fourth game against Sam Houston State on Feb. 21. Inthe win at Central Arkansas, UTSA posted its second game of the seasonwith five players reaching double-digits. Earlier in the season, theRoadrunners had five players score double-figures in the win againstOral Roberts on Dec. 20.
Balanced Scoring: UTSA has five players averaging double-figuresthrough 29 games this season. Senior Monica Gibbs is averaging ateam-best 15.5 points per game, followed by senior Onika Anderson’s13.2 ppg. Sophomore Amber Gregg ranks third at 11.5 points per contest,while Senior Ryba Pawlaczyk recording 10.8 points per game. SophomoreJordan Stark rounds out averaging 10.0 ppg.
Crashing The OR: UTSA collected a season-best 26 offensive rebounds atSam Houston State on Feb. 4. Seniors Monica Gibbs and Onika Andersonled the way with 18 offensive rebounds. In the win against Sam HoustonState on Feb. 21, the Roadrunners grabbed 25 offensive rebounds
Cleaning The Glass: The Roadrunners have recorded four games with 50 ormore rebounds. UTSA recorded a season-high 60 rebounds against SamHouston State on Feb. 21, four shy of tying the school mark. TheRoadrunners posted 57 rebounds against Nicholls on Jan. 14. The Runnersracked up 55 in the win against Rice on Jan. 3. At Sam Houston State,they hauled in 51 rebounds.
Glass Cleaners: A trio of Roadrunners in seniors Onika Anderson, RybaPawlaczyk and Monica Gibbs are among the top SLC rebounders. Andersonleads the SLC at 10.4 rpg, while Gibbs is fourth at 9.4 rpg andPawlaczyk sits fifth at 9.2 boards a game.
Ball Security: Despite 12 turnovers in the first half against Tulsa onJan. 5. UTSA committed only two miscues in the second frame, whileforcing 12 Tulsa mishaps and 26 for the game.
Taking Care Of The Ball: The Roadrunners committed just six turnoversagainst Rice on Jan. 3, tying a single-game record set againstSoutheastern Louisiana last February.
Rebounding Royalty: Senior Monica Gibbs’ 15 rebounds collected againstHigh Point (Dec. 30) were more than enough to surpass MargaretMartinovich’s 778. Gibbs is the only Roadrunner to collect over 900rebounds during her career (955).
Doing The Dishes: Senior Monica Gibbs’ 6.8 assists per game standsseventh in the country (as of Feb. 23). Gibbs is the first Roadrunnerin the program’s history to record over 600 assists (667). TheStillwater, Okla., native has handed out over 100 assists in her fourseasons as a Roadrunner.
Reaching A Milestone: Gibbs became the 11th player in the program’shistory to score over 1,000 points. She eclipsed that point total atKansas State on Nov. 23. She currently has 1,395 career points and sitsfourth on the all-time scoring list.
30 Double-Doubles And Counting: Senior Monica Gibbs has collectedteam-best 14 double-doubles this season to bring her career tally to 38double-doubles in her four-year stint.
Triple Trouble: Senior Onika Anderson ranks on the team with 13double-doubles. Senior Ryba Pawlaczyk has tallied eight double-doublesthis season.
20 And 10: Senior Onika Anderson has posted five games with at least 20points and 10 rebounds. She is averaging 13.2 points and a team-best10.4 rebounds per game this season.
Double Vision: Senior Onika Anderson is second in the SLC with 13double-doubles this season and bring her career total to 21. Andersonhad her lucky 13th double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds atStephen F. Austin on March 6. Her 12th double-double came at Lamar with17 points and 11 rebounds on Feb. 28. She had her 11th double-doublewith a career-high 23 rebounds and added 19 points against Sam HoustonState on Feb. 21. She had her 10th double-double with a career-best 28points and hauled in 10 rebounds at Central Arkansas on Feb. 11. Sheadded ninth one in the win at Sam Houston State with 19 points and 14rebounds on Feb. 4. Anderson posted her eighth double-double with 17points and 16 rebounds at McNeese State on Jan. 10 The Pine Bluff,Ark., native recorded her seventh one with 14 points and a dozenrebounds against Rice on Jan. 3. She then had her sixth against HighPoints on Dec. 30 (19 points/15 rebounds). Anderson tallied 20 pointsand 11 rebounds for her fifth double-double against Oral Roberts onDec. 20. She had her third and fourth double-double against ArkansasState (Nov. 29) and Huston-Tillotson (Dec. 6), respectively. Andersonposted her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 10rebounds at Kansas State on Nov. 23. She collected her firstdouble-double at TCU with 22 points and 13 rebounds on Nov. 16.
Double-Double Tandem: Seniors Onika Anderson and Ryba Pawlaczyk arebecoming a force in the post. The duo have recorded double-doubles infour games. Anderson and Pawlaczyk first achieve this at TCU on Nov.20. In the month of December, they produced three games withdouble-doubles. The latest one coming against High Point on Dec. 30.
Pawlaczyk Collects All-Classic Honors: Senior Ryba Pawlaczyk was namedto the Wells Fargo New Year’s All-Classic Team. She averaged 10.5points and 8.5 rebounds in the two wins against Colorado State and HighPoint. The Wroclaw, Poland, native tallied a double-double with 14points and 11 broads versus the Panthers on Dec. 30.
Breakout Season: Senior Ryba Pawlaczyk opened the 2008-09 campaign withback-to-back double-doubles. Her first one came against TexasA&M-International with 20 points and hauled in 12 rebounds on Nov.14. She followed that performance with 17 points and a career-best 15boards at TCU on Nov. 16. She also has recorded seven double-doublesthis season. She netted a career-high 28 points at Texas A&M-CorpusChristi on Feb. 18. The Wroclaw, Poland, native is posting career-highnumbers in scoring (10.8 ppg) and rebounding (9.2 rpg) this season. Sheleads the team with 49 blocks and is second in the league at 1.8 blocksper game.
Amber Alert: Sophomore Amber Gregg made three starts last season, butin 2008-09 she has made presence known in the starting lineup. TheAustin native is averaging a career-high 11.5 points per game,including a career-best 25 points against Tulsa on Jan. 5. Gregg scored17 points, including 14 in the second half against Texas A&M-CorpusChristi on Jan. 24. She then chipped in with 17 points at McNeese Stateon Jan. 10.
Dialing Long Distance: Sophomore Amber Gregg twice hit career-high withsix 3-pointers this season. She made six in the win against Tulsa onJan. 3 and then knocked down half of dozen versus High Point on Dec.30. She leads the SLC averaging 2.6 3-pointers made per game and ranks22nd in the country (as of Feb. 23). Gregg tops the team with 64 treysthis season.
Welcome Back: Since making her return to the rotation, after an 11 gameabsent, sophomore Jordan Stark has scored double-figures in six gamessince her return to the rotation.
Stark Times 3: Sophomore Jordan Stark tied her career-high with five3-pointers to lead UTSA with 19 points at Wichita State on Nov. 21. Sheranks second on the team with 42 3-pointers.
Stealing The Show: Sophomore Jordan Stark posted a career-high sevensteals against Texas A&M International on Nov. 14. The Weatherford,Okla, native was two shy of the school-record set by Rhonda Hoffman,who collected nine against Sam Houston State on Jan. 27, 1984.
Let It Rain: Junior Alysse Davis scored a career-high 22 points on thestrength of six three balls at Central Arkansas on Feb. 11. The CorpusChristi native collected 17 of her 22 points in the first half and wasa perfect 5-of-5 from downtown in the first frame.
No Rust Here: Junior Alysse Davis sat out last season and part of thisyear due to the NCAA transfer rule. Davis made her Roadrunners debutagainst Oakland on Dec. 19 and, since then, the Corpus Christi nativehas established herself as the first player off the bench and respondedwith 6.8 points per game. She is third on the team with 39 three balls.
UTSA Tube: The Roadrunners have been featured on television three timesthis season. Time Warner Cable (Channel 50) broadcasted the TexasA&M-Corpus Christi (Jan. 24) and UT Arlington (Feb. 14) contests,while the Southland Television Network aired the Northwestern State(Feb. 25) and Texas State (March 4) home games. The SLC TV Network willtelevise the semifinals and finals of the conference tournament.
Next Game: UTSA will face the winner between No. 3 seed SoutheasternLouisiana and sixth-seeded Northwestern State in the semifinals onMarch 12 at noon.
