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For Immediate Release: November 17, 2001 EDINBURG, TX–Southeast Missouri State’s
women’s basketball team jumped to a 38-22 halftime lead and went on to
a 72-55 victory over the University of Texas-Pan American’s women’s
basketball team in the third place game of the Lady Bronc Classic at the
UTPA Fieldhouse Saturday night. The Otahkians made 54.2 per cent of their shots
from the field in the first half and converted nine of 14 free throw
opportunities to the Lady Broncs’ 0 for 2. Junior center Julie Porter
(Manchester, MI/Manchester HS/Kalamazoo Valley JC) hit a pair of
layups as the Lady Broncs took an early lead. But SEMO scored 12
consecutive points to turn a 9-6 UTPA lead into an 18-9 Otahkian
advantage, and never trailed again. Senior forward Kelli Kreuser (Bettendorf,
IA/Davenport North HS/Truman State) had 13 points and eight assists,
leading UTPA in both categories. Freshman guard Jennifer Piwonka
(Louise, TX/Louise HS) added 12 points, five assists and seven steals.
Porter grabbed six rebounds and junior forward Naima Williams (Houston,
TX/Clear Brook HS) added five. “We didn’t get to the line very much (3-8), and
we’re usually better than that,” said Lady Bronc Head Coach Karin
Nicholls. “In each game this year, we started out slowly, and that
happened again tonight. A lot of it is not understanding what you need
to do at this level, which will happen with a young team. We are playing
teams that will help us to get better each game. We have some talented
freshmen, and this is part of building a program.” The Lady Broncs dropped to 0-2 with the defeat,
while the SMSU improved to 1-1. Montana defeated Arkansas-Little Rock in
the championship game, 77-57. Two Lady Broncs made the All-Tournament
Team-Kreuser and Porter. They were joined by SEMO’s Lori Chase. Darci
Cassidy of UALR, and Cheryl Keller and Tournament Most Valuable Player
Hollie Tyler from Montana. UTPA will return to action when they visit Texas-El Paso Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. WBBCLASSIC111701
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