For Immediate Release: Monday, December 16, 2002
Contact: Adam Pitterman, UTPA Assistant Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

LADY BRONCS FALL TO BAYLOR, 84-40

WACO, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American women's basketball team dropped an 84-40 decision to Baylor at the Ferrell Center Monday evening. The Lady Bears opened the game by outscoring the Lady Broncs, 17-6, and took a 36-18 halftime lead on a free throw by Ebony Jackson with 33 seconds remaining in the first half.

"I don't think the score was indicative of what type of game it was," said UTPA Head Coach Tracy Anderson. "It was a 22 point game with seven minutes left before Baylor pulled away. I was very pleased with how we played."

In the second half, Texas-Pan American pulled to within 16 points of BU at 42-26 on a free throw by senior forward Julie Porter (Manchester, MI/Manchester HS/Kalamazoo Valley JC) with 16:26 remaining, but an 8-0 run by the Lady Bears allowed them increase their lead to 24 points at 50-26.

Baylor outshot UT Pan American from the field, 51.7 per cent to 28.8 per cent, and held a 40-27 advantage on the boards. BU used 27 UTPA turnovers to score 36 points, while Texas-Pan American scored eight points on 16 Lady Bear turnovers.

Senior forward Naima Williams (Houston, TX/Clear Brook HS) and sophomore forward Clarisse Arredondo (McAllen, TX/McAllen HS/Centenary College) led the Lady Broncs with eight points apiece. Porter grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. Sophomore forward Jennifer Arriola (Rio (Rico, AZ/Rio Rico HS) had six points.

"Naima and Julie played extremely well on both ends of the floor," said Anderson. They played especially well on defense. Baylor has good post players, and we held them to 11 points under their average."

Ebony Jackson led Baylor with 17 points, going six-for-six from the field. Stasha Richards had 13 points and five rebounds, while Steffanie Blackmon had 12 points and seven rebounds.

The Lady Broncs dropped to 0-7 with the defeat, while Baylor improved to 8-1. "Baylor is a tough team in a good conference (Big 12)," said Anderson. "They were in the Sweet Sixteen last year."

UTPA will return to action when they host Midwestern State Saturday afternoon, December 21st. Tip-off will be at 2:00 p.m.

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