For Immediate Release: Wednesday, February 19, 2003
Contact: Adam Pitterman, UTPA Assistant Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

LADY BRONCS SET FOR REMATCH WITH LIPSCOMB

EDINBURG, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American's women's basketball team will look to win their second consecutive game for the second time this season, when they host Lipscomb Thursday evening in a rematch of a game the Lady Broncs lost at Lipscomb in early January. Game time Thursday evening is 7:00 p.m. at the UTPA Fieldhouse.

The Lady Bisons defeated Texas-Pan American 57-49 on January 11th. "They hit a couple of late three-pointers," said UTPA Interim Head Coach Tracy Anderson. "That hurt us, and we also gave up 27 free throws. We shot poorly, and when you do that, you have to clamp down defensively. We stayed in the game, though."

Texas-Pan American brings a 5-20 record into Thursday's game, while Lipscomb is 12-14, and 4-8 on the road. The Lady Bisons have won five of their last seven games, including a 76-63 victory at Centenary last Thursday.

Tuesday, sophomore forward Jennifer Arriola's (Rio Rico, AZ/Rio Rico HS) career high 17-point outburst propelled the Lady Broncs to a 71-57 win over visiting Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne. UTPA trailed 37-35 with 14:23 remaining in the contest, but used a 16-2 run over the next 5:50 to seize a 52-39 lead. Senior guard Alex Gravel (Chicoutimi, Quebec/Vanier HS) recorded the first double-double of her career, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while junior guard Amanda Carlow (Pine Ridge, SD/Rapid City CHS/Northeast JC) had nine points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals. "Amanda had a complete game and was a huge factor in our key run," said Anderson. "Our players respond to her. She's a calm leader, but can be fiery too."

Three of the Lady Broncs' five wins have come within the friendly confines of the UTPA Fieldhouse. In home games, UTPA is being outscored 65.1-53.4 points per game and outshot 39.8-39.4 percent, but is outrebounding its opponents by 38.3-34.4 boards per game. Senior center Naima Williams (Houston, TX/Clear Brook HS) is the team's leading scorer at home, averaging 10.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Gravel has averaged 10.6 points, and has converted on 37.5 percent of her three point attempts.

"I think we can get balanced scoring," said Anderson. "We'll have scoring opportunities, but we'll have to connect on them, and not have unforced turnovers."

The Lady Bison are outscoring their opponents 64.3-63.9 points per game, and outrebounding their opponents by an average of 41.3-38.4 rebounds per game. Courtney Boynton is Lipscomb's leading scorer, pouring in 11.7 points and grabbing 5.5 rebounds per game. Kari Campbell averages 9.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while Katie Beth Pate leads the team with 7.5 rebounds per game, and scored 9.4 points per game.

The Lady Broncs return to action next Tuesday evening, when they host Incarnate Word.


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