For Immediate Release: Friday, December 06, 2002
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

LADY BRONCS FALL TO EASTERN WASHINGTON, 59-45

CHENEY, WA-Eastern Washington took an early lead and went on to a 59-45 victory over The University of Texas-Pan American women's basketball team at Reese Court Friday night.

The Eagles scored 12 of the first 16 points, opened up a 20-10 lead midway through the first half, and took a 33-20 halftime advantage. The Lady Broncs were held to 33.3 per cent from the field in the first half, while Eastern made 40.6 per cent of their shots from the field, including three of seven from three-point range.

Texas-Pan American made just 22.2 per cent from the field in the second half, and shot just 28.2 per cent for the game. The Eagles made 31.7 per cent of their shots from the field, but attempted 24 more shots than did UT Pan American. The Lady Broncs committed 27 turnovers to the Eagles' 14.

"They went on two five-minute runs that hurt us," said UTPA Head Coach Tracy Anderson. "We got out of the gate better this time, but they hurt us on the offensive boards. We got it down to six in the first half, and that's when they went on a run. In the second half, we had a stretch where we held them to two points in five minutes, but we only scored six ourselves. We shut down three of their top players, but we gave up easy baskets on rebounds and turnovers. We're struggling with out confidence right now. We need to get out and get a lead on someone early, and not have to fight to get back into games."

For the second consecutive game, senior guard Alex Gravel (Chicoutimi, Quebec/Vanier HS) led UTPA in scoring. Gravel, who missed all of last season and the start of this year due to injury, scored 13 points, while sophomore guard Jennifer Piwonka (Louise, TX/Louise HS) added 11. Piwonka and senior forward Naima Williams (Houston, TX/Clear Brook HS) had six rebounds each as each team grabbed 41 boards.

RaeLynn Chaffee led the Eagles with 12 points, while Kathleen Nygaard added nine and Michelle Demetruk and Stephanie McKinney added eight apiece.

With the victory, Eastern improved to 4-2, while Texas-Pan American dropped to 0-5. The Lady Broncs will return to action whey they host Northern Arizona at the South Padre Island Convention Center next Saturday evening.

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