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For
Immediate Release: December 30, 2001 EDINBURG, TX-Sunday afternoon’s game against Schreiner College was apparently just what the doctor ordered for the University of Texas-Pan American women’s basketball team. The Lady Broncs turned in a record-breaking effort, holding the Mountaineers to just 13 points in the second half and defeating Schreiner, 93-29, at the UTPA Fieldhouse. UTPA broke the game open early. The Lady Broncs scored 23 consecutive points during a span of 8:22 in the first half, opening up a 29-4 advantage with 7:54 remaining. Freshman guard Nikki Hitchens (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado HS) fueled the run, igniting it with a jump shot and scoring seven of UTPA’s 23 points. Freshman guard Anette Johansen (Oslo, Norway/FossVideregaaende HS) added six points during the run, while senior forward Kelli Kreuser (Bettendorf, IA/Davenport North HS/Truman State) added four. Leading at halftime, 45-16, the Lady Broncs steadily increased their lead throughout the second half. UTPA outscored the Mountaineers in the second half, 48-13, holding them to just 16.7 per cent from the field on just 3 of 18 shots. The Lady Broncs finished with 19 steals and forced 44 Schreiner turnovers. UTPA set one record and tied another. The margin of victory, 64 points, was the largest margin of victory the Lady Broncs have recorded. The previous mark was 47 points in a 108-61 victory against Southwestern Louisiana (now Louisiana-Lafayette) March 6, 1993. UTPA also tied their own record for least points allowed. The Lady Broncs defeated Texas Woman’s University, 62-29, during the 1986-87 season. “It was nice to see us come up with an effort like that,” said UTPA Head Coach Karin Nicholls. “We started off a bit slowly, but then we turned up the pressure, and it really made a difference. Our freshmen are really starting to improve, and it really showed. We have a few more games here at home, and we’d like to try to take advantage of that situation and continue to grow as a team.” Hitchens led all scorers with 23 points, while Kreuser added 17 points, four assists and six steals. Johansen had a double-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds and six steals, while junior forward Naima Williams (Houston, TX/Clear Brook HS) added 14 points, six rebounds and five steals. Anna Cerda and Christi Thompson led Schreiner with 10 points each. The
Lady Broncs improved to 3-11 with the victory, while the Mountaineers
dropped to 1-8 with the loss. UTPA will return to action when they host
St. Mary’s Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. WBBSCHREINER123001
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