For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 27, 2003
Contact: Adam Pitterman, UTPA Assistant Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

LADY BRONCS HOST CENTENARY ON SENIOR DAY

EDINBURG, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American women's basketball team will conclude their season with a rematch against Centenary this Saturday afternoon. Game time is 1:00 p.m. at the UTPA Fieldhouse.

Texas-Pan American dropped a 60-58 decision at Centenary February 1st. "In our first game against them we didn't play well down the stretch," said UTPA Interim Head Coach Tracy Anderson. "We let it slip away."

The Lady Broncs' four graduating seniors, who will be honored prior to tip-off, have achieved several milestones during the past season, as well during as their careers. UTPA career scoring leader Alex Gravel (Chicoutimi, Quebec/Vanier HS) set the UT Pan American career scoring mark this season with 1,204 points, and became the first player in Lady Bronc history to surpass 1,200 points. Senior center Naima Williams (Houston, TX/Clear Brook HS) is the career record-holder for UTPA in rebounding, and is second all-time in scoring with 1,157 points. Senior guard Michelle Smith (Vancouver, BC/Heritage Park HS) ranks sixth in three-point field goals with 64, and is just one three-pointer away from moving into fifth place. Senior forward Julie Porter (Manchester, MI/Manchester HS/Kalamazoo Valley JC) currently leads the Lady Broncs with 5.7 rebounds per game.

"As a group our seniors have been tremendous leaders," said Anderson. "They are extraordinary representatives of our program and this university. They epitomize the type of young women we hope to bring into our program."

During the first three games of the Lady Broncs' homestand, they have outscored the opposition 71-63.7 points per game, outrebounded their opponents by 39.3-37 boards per game, and won the turnover battle by 1.7 turnovers per game. Gravel and Williams have combined for 29 points and 14.4 rebounds per game during that period, while Gravel is hitting 50 percent from three-point range. Sophomore forward Jennifer Arriola (Rio Rico, AZ/Rio Rico HS) has emerged as a scoring threat over the last three games, connecting on 76.2 percent of her attempts from the field for 12 points per game after averaging three points per game over the first 24 games of the season.

"Jennifer has been much more aggressive offensively and is finishing her shots," said Anderson. "It's an indication of the type of player she can be."

Junior guard Amanda Carlow (Pine Ridge, SD/Rapid City CHS/Northeast JC) and sophomore guard Jennifer Piwonka (Louise, TX/Louise HS) have dished out a combine 35 assists while turning the ball over just 13 times in the last three games. Piwonka has averaged 10.3 points during the last three games, while Carlow has chipped in nine.

The Ladies are being outscored 74-64.2 points per game, and outshot 41.6-36.9 percent from the field. Centenary is led offensively by junior forward Alexis Pettway's 14.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Junior guard Julie Danieles averages 12.8 points per game.

"They have a good post player in Pettway," said Anderson. "We did a good job on her last time, but will have to keep her in check. She's a tough one-on-one matchup for us, and is good at running the floor."

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