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For
Immediate Release: January 3, 2002 EDINBURG,
TX-A slow start proved fatal to the Lady Broncs’ chances in their
women’s basketball game against St. Mary’s Thursday night. The Lady Rattlers used a 18-3
run midway through the first half to take a 29-18 lead, and went on to
an 80-67 victory at the UTPA Fieldhouse. The Lady Broncs used an early
three-pointer by freshman guard Anette Johansen (Oslo, Norway/Foss
Videregaaende HS) and a jumper and a pair of free throws by freshman
guard Nikki Hitchens (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado HS) to take an early 7-2
advantage. But St. Mary’s came back and scored 9 of the next 16 points
and trailed, 14-11, with 12:16 to play in the first half before
beginning their run. The Lady Rattlers led at
halftime, 41-27, taking advantage of 26.5 per cent shooting from the
field by the Lady Broncs. “We didn’t do a good job on
defense or in terms of rebounding,” said UTPA Head Coach Karin
Nicholls. “If we had played as hard at the beginning of the game as we
did at the end of the game, it might have been a different story. We
have gone through a lot this year in terms of injuries, but most good
teams only use seven or eight players regularly, so we have to learn to
play with what we have. We’ll have to play better Saturday night. Senior forward Kelli Kreuser
(Bettendorf, IA/Davenport North HS/Truman State) tied her career high
with 24 points. She also added eight rebounds, five assists and four
steals. Hitchens added 14 points for the Lady Broncs, while Johansen
added 12. Martha Brinker led the Lady
Rattlers with 20 points, Meosha Nash added 17, Amber South had 14 and
Nicole Brantley added 10. Bobbi King and Liz Card had eight rebounds
each as St. Mary’s outrebounded the Lady Broncs, 51-37. The Lady Broncs fell to 3-12
with the defeat, while St. Mary’s improved to 12-1. UTPA will return
to action when they host Incarnate Word Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. WBBSTMARYS010302 |