Dec. 27, 2010
Complete game notes
TEXAS (8-3) vs. Cincinnati (6-4)
Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010 • 10 p.m. Central • Maggie Dixon Surf ‘n Slam Classic
Jenny Craig Pavilion (5,100) • San Diego, Calif.
GAME DAY QUICK FACTS
TELEVISION: None.
RADIO: KVET-AM 1300 “The Zone” will broadcast Tuesday’s game between Texas and Cincinnati. Craig Way (pxp) and Carol Ross (analyst) will call the action.
SERIES: First meeting.
NOTABLES
• VIVA LAS VEGAS ... Led by 11 second-half points from junior guard Ashleigh Fontenette, Texas overcame USF (83-65) to win the championship game of the BTI Classic in Las Vegas on Dec. 20. UT beat in-state rival SMU 91-73 on Dec. 18 in the first game of the three-day series before defeating host UNLV, 85-59, the following day.
• FONTENETTE NAMED MVP ... Junior guard Ashleigh Fontenette was named BTI Classic MVP after rallying the Longhorns to a second-half, come-from-behind win over USF. Fontenette recorded 11 of her 13 points in the second half of the game.
• TURNOVER TURNAROUND ... Averaging 18.3 turnovers per game, Texas appeared to take better control of the ball in its three games at the BTI Classic by cutting its average to 12.3 tpg. The Longhorns committed a season-low nine turnovers against the Rebels (Dec. 19) and 14 in games against the Mustangs (Dec. 18) and Bulls (Dec. 20).
• WINNING BIG ... All eight of Texas’ wins this season have been by double-digit margins. The Longhorns are averaging 93.6 ppg and a +33.2 scoring margin in their victories. In all 11 contests, UT is toppling its opponents by +20.2 ppg and putting up a Big 12 Conference-best 87.4 ppg.
SERIES VS. CINCINNATITuesday’s contest marks the first meeting between the two schools. Cincinnati is Texas’ second-straight BIG EAST opponent after defeating USF 83-65 in the championship game of the BTI Classic in Las Vegas on Dec. 20.
GOESTENKORS VS. CINCINNATI
Tuesday’s contest marks the firm meeting between Texas head coach Gail Goestenkors and Cincinnati.
TRIPLE THREAT
Senior guard Kathleen Nash became the only player in Texas history to record 1,000+ points, 700+ rebounds and 190 3FG during her 112th career game against USF (Dec. 20). Through 112 games, Nash has 1,241 points, 748 rebounds and 190 3FG. Heather Schreiber (2001-05) accomplished nearly the same feat in all 133 career games with 1,708 points, 854 rebounds and 189 3FG.
MORE FROM MOORE
Texas saw its most production of the season from freshman guard Tiffany Moore during the BTI Classic. Moore broke out during the three-game tourney by averaging 8.7 ppg and 3.0 rpg in 15.0 mpg after missing the first five games of the season due to a right-wrist injury and subsequent surgery in October.
A CHECK OF THE POLLS
UT is not ranked but receiving votes in The Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Polls for the sixth week of the season. Having previously faced then-No. 3/2 Stanford (Nov. 28) and No. 25/25 Michigan State (Dec. 5) on the road, Texas most recently met No. 8/7 Tennessee in Austin on Dec. 12. UT is scheduled to meet four additional foes that are currently ranked: No. 2/2 Baylor (Jan. 12 in Austin, Feb. 12 in Waco), No. 7/5 Texas A&M (Jan. 19 in College Station, Feb. 27 in Austin), No. 15/14 Oklahoma (Jan. 16 in Austin, Feb. 19 in Norman) and No. 21/21 Iowa State (Feb. 21 in Ames).
SECOND-HALF SUCCESS
To say that Texas was hitting its stride in the second halves of its three games in the BTI Classic would be an understatement. UT averaged 38 points in the first halves compared to 48 in the final stanzas. Furthermore, the Longhorns limited their opponents to 29 points in the final 20 minutes of the last three games compared to 36 in the opening halves.
CONSISTENCY IS KEY
Senior guard Kathleen Nash is the lone Longhorn to have reached double-digit scoring in all 11 games this season. She recorded season-highs of 21 points against Northwestern State (Nov. 16) and No. 8/7 Tennessee (Dec. 12). The Preseason All-Big 12 Honorable Mention leads UT with 16.8 ppg through 10 contests.
HOT IN DECEMBER
Junior post Ashley Gayle is certainly heating up as winter rolls in. In Texas’ six contests this month, Gayle is leading the starting rotation with 52.2 percent from the field on 24-of-46 shooting. Additionally, she is leading the Longhorns with 9.5 rpg over the last six contests.
GAYLE ECLIPSES SECOND CENTURY MARK
With three blocks against UNLV on Dec. 19, junior post Ashley Gayle became just the fourth player in school history to reach 200 or more. Ellen Bayer (289, 1986-90), Ashley Lindsey (250, 2005-09) and Angela Jackson (221, 1994-97) are the only other players to have accomplished the feat. Gayle ranks fourth on UT’s all-time career list with 204 blocks.
QUARTET IN DOUBLE DIGITS
Four Longhorns continue to average double-digit scoring: Kathleen Nash (16.8 ppg), Chassidy Fussell (15.3 ppg), Ashleigh Fontenette (15.2 ppg) and Yvonne Anderson (10.9 ppg). Texas is the only team in the Big 12 Conference with three Top 15 scorers in Nash (fifth), Fussell (t-12th) and Fontenette (14th).
BATTLE OF THE BOARDS
Texas’ +14 rebound advantage over SMU (48-34) marked the fourth time this season it has out-rebounded its opponent by double digits. UT’s 48 boards were its most since pulling down a season-high 56 against UTPA on Dec. 8. The Longhorns are averaging 45.4 rpg and hold an +7.7 edge over all opponents.
