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For
Immediate Release: January 5, 2002 EDINBURG,
TX-Sometimes it takes a thief. The University of Texas-Pan American
women’s basketball team had many of them Saturday evening. The Lady Broncs tied their own
team record with 24 steals, and outscored visiting Incarnate Word, 38-11
during the final 11 minutes and 17 seconds to post a come-from-behind
73-61 victory at the UTPA Fieldhouse. UT Pan American made just 27.8
per cent of its shots in the first half and trailed, 30-27, at halftime.
Junior forward Naima Williams (Houston, TX/Clear Brook HS) scored early
in the second half to cut UIW’s advantage to a single point, but the
Crusaders scored the next eight points to open up a nine-point lead.
Williams connected again, but her two field goals would be the only
points the Lady Broncs would score in the first seven minutes of the
second half. Meanwhile, Incarnate Word got a pair of jump shots from
Danelle Evans and a layup and three-pointer from Lindsay Perez to build
a 45-31 lead with 12:54 to play. The Crusaders led, 50-35 with
11:17 remaining when the Lady Broncs began their comeback. Williams
scored seven consecutive points as UTPA sliced the advantage to 50-42.
Senior forward Kelli Kreuser (Bettendorf, IA/Davenport North HS/Truman
State) made four free throws, a three-pointer and a jump shot to key a
10-5 run that left UTPA trailing by just three points, 57-54, with 5:53
to play. Kreuser’s jumper, a pair of
free throws by junior guard Michelle Smith (Vancouver,BC/Heritage Park
HS) and a pair by Williams with 4:14 remaining gave the Lady Broncs
their first lead since 5:49 remained in the first half. Thirty seconds
later, Kreuser connected on a trey to give UTPA the lead for good. Defensive pressure made the
difference for the Lady Broncs. They made 17 steals in the second half
and forced 23 steals in that period. Overall, UTPA had 24 steals, tying
the single-game record set against Centenary February 10, 2000. Williams
had nine steals, also tying the single-game mark that is held jointly by
Danielle Chavez, who had nine against Texas-El Paso December 22nd, 1996,
and Lindsay Jacques, credited with nine at Louisiana State February 8,
1999. “Naima stepped up big when
Kelli went out (with foul trouble) tonight, and that’s what we have to
do,” said UTPA Head Coach Karin Nicholls. “Kelli and Naima are used
to playing 40 minutes. Defensively, Naima set the pace, and we played
the kind of defense we are capable of playing. We’ve had a rough
season, and we are well deserving of a game like this. Hopefully, it
will give us some momentum for the rest of the season.” Kreuser led all scorers with a
career-high 27 points, despite playing the last 12 minutes with four
fouls. Williams had 17 points and eight rebounds to go along with her
nine steals, and freshman guard Nikki Hitchens (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado
HS) added 14 points and five steals. Freshman guard Anette Johansen
(Oslo, Norway/Foss Viederegaaende HS) had 10 assists. Michelle Viverette led UIW with
17 points and 12 rebounds, Hilary Akromis had 11 points and 13 boards,
and Amy Mueller added 10 points. The Crusaders outrebounded UTPA, 50-33,
but committed 34 turnovers to the Lady Broncs’ 17. UTPA improved to 4-12 with the victory, while Incarnate Word dropped to 3-9. The Lady Broncs will return to action when they host Centenary Thursday, January 10th at 6 p.m. in the first game of a doubleheader. The Broncs will play Air Force following the women’s game. WBBINCARNATEWORD010502 |