For Immediate Release: Saturday, January 11, 2003
Contact: Adam Pitterman, UTPA Assistant Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

LADY BRONCS FALL TO LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY, 57-49

NASHVILLE, TN-Junior guard Mary DeCock (Lamberton, MN/Red Rock Central HS/Northeast CC) scored a career high 15 points, hitting five of eight three-point attempts, but The University of Texas-Pan American women's basketball team dropped a 57-49 decision to Lipscomb University Saturday afternoon at Allen Arena. Texas-Pan American falls to 1-13 with the loss, while the Lady Bisons improved to 7-9.

Kendra Ramsey made two three-pointers and hit two free throws to key a 13-2 run for Lipscomb late in the second half as the Lady Bisons took the lead for good, 52-43, with 2:43 remaining. DeCock hit a pair of three-pointers to cut Texas-Pan American's deficit to three points, 52-49, with 59 seconds left, but the Lady Bisons converted on five of seven free throws during the final 48 seconds to preserve their lead.

"Mary hit a three to pull us to within three points," said UTPA Interim Head Coach Tracy Anderson. "They took a quick shot and we got the ball back with a minute left. We had four possessions in the last three minutes where we had layups. In close games, whether it's an offensive or defensive possession late in the game, we need to execute."

The Lady Bisons used a 6-0 run to take an 8-4 lead less than five minutes into the first half. UTPA responded with a 6-0 run of their own, capped by a three-point bucket from DeCock, to take a 10-8 lead with 11:19 remaining in the half. Renee Logan's three pointer with 1:41 remaining gave Lipscomb their largest lead of the half, 24-17, as the Lady Bisons used a 10-4 run over the final 8:01 to take a 26-19 lead into the intermission.

UT Pan American opened the second half with an 18-8 run, capped by a free throw by senior forward Julie Porter (Manchester, MI/Manchester HS/Kalamazoo Valley JC) to take their largest lead of the game, 37-34 with 12:44 remaining.

"We made some adjustments defensively at halftime," said Anderson. "We came back and took the lead, but gave up a pair of three-pointers. We did a great job on the offensive boards, but couldn't get our shots to fall."

The Lady Bisons outshot UTPA, 30.2 percent to 29.5 percent, but the Lady Broncs held a 49-42 advantage on the boards. LU scored 22 points on 24 Texas-Pan American turnovers, while the Lady Broncs managed 10 points on 16 Lady Bisons turnovers.

DeCock had six rebounds, and led three Lady Broncs scoring in double figures. Junior guard Amanda Carlow (Pine Ridge, SD/Rapid City CHS/Northeast JC) hit her first five shots to score a career high 11 points, and added three assists and four rebounds. Senior guard Alex Gravel (Chicoutimi, Quebec/Vanier HS) scored 10 points to reach double figures for the fifth time in the last six games. She also grabbed nine rebounds and had three steals. Porter also grabbed nine rebounds.

Monica Blake and Courtney Boynton each scored 11 points for Lipscomb, while Kendra Ramsey and Renee Logan had 10 points apiece.

The Lady Broncs will host Prairie View A&M next Tuesday. Tip-off will be at 7:00 p.m.