Dec. 18, 2010
Box Score | Box Score 
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Chassidy Fussell scored 14 points and No. 23 Texas beat in-state rival Southern Methodist 91-73 Saturday in the BTI Classic.
Kathleen Nash added 12 points, Ashleigh Fontenette scored 11 and Chelsea Bass had 10 for the Longhorns (6-3), whose defense virtually shut down SMU (5-4) in the second half. Texas led 42-40 at halftime before pulling away behind its balanced scoring.
Akil Simpson scored 17 to lead the Mustangs, who had won five of their last six. Christine Elliott added 13 points, and Samantha Mahnesmith and Delisha Wills had 12 each.
The Longhorns had lost three of their last four, all to teams ranked in the top 15.
POST-GAME NOTES
TEAM
-Texas improved to 35-3 all-time against former Southwest Conference rival SMU. Saturday’s contest marked the first meeting between the two teams since Feb. 17, 1996.
-Recorded 90 or more points for the fifth time this season and is averaging 81.1 ppg
-Dished out 20 total assists to eclipse 20+ assists for the fourth time this season
Ashley Gayle
-Pulled down a game-high nine rebounds and added nine points (4-of-7 FG, 1-of-2 FT)
-Recorded one block for her 199th career block, placing her fourth all-time at Texas
Ashleigh Fontenette
-Posted her sixth-straight double-digit scoring effort of the season with 11 points (5-of-9 FG, 1-of-3 3FG)
-Scored 10 or more points for the eighth time this year and 32nd time of her career
-Dished out six assists marking the fifth game this season she has recorded five or more assists
Chassidy Fussell
-Posted her seventh double-digit scoring effort of the season with a team-high 14 points (4-of-9 FG, 2-of-5 3FG, 4-of-4 FT)
-Has recorded double-figures in all but one game played this season
-Dished out a career-high six assists
Tiffany Moore
-Scored a career-high nine points (4-of-6 FG, 0-for-1 3FG, 1-of-3 FT)
Kathleen Nash
-Recorded her eighth-straight double-digit scoring effort with 12 points (5-of-12 FG, 0-of-4 3FG, 2-of-2 FT)
-Has scored 10 or more points in all nine games this season and 62 times in her career
-Is the only Longhorn to score in double-digits in all nine games this season
Kristen Nash
-Played eight minutes in her first game of the 2010-11 season since returning to the Texas Women’s Basketball team on Dec. 16, 2010
POST-GAME QUOTES
TEXAS HEAD COACH Gail Goestenkors
On Texas’ slow start: I was definitely disappointed in the first half. When A.G. (Ashley Gayle) went out early with the two fouls, it’s clear how different we are without her on the court and off the court. I was disappointed overall because we weren’t pushing the tempo. No transition points and 11 turnovers.
On her halftime remarks to the team: I said when we’re not in transition, we’re not a very good team. That’s when we turn the ball over. When we’re up tempo and attacking, we’re tougher to defend and we do a better job of taking care of the ball.
On Ashley Gayle’s second-half performance: She had eight rebounds in the second half. Not only that, but she’s an intimidating factor. She’ll make you change your shot. I told her this is why she cannot draw the quick fouls because we have got to have her on the court.
