Dec. 20, 2004
Box Score
The University of Texas-Pan American women's basketball team suffered a 57-50 setback against North Texas University despite outscoring the Mean Green 19-17 from the floor. The Lady Broncs sent NTU to the line 38 where they converted on 20 to seal the seven point victory.
The Lady Broncs were down 10-0 early, but they made a quick turnaround to come within three points after Tynesha Pierce (Houston, TX/Westfield H.S.) scored six consecutive points to take the score to 9-10 at the 13:18 mark in the first half. UTPA was never able to take the lead, but stayed close due to their high intensity level on the defensive end.
"Our defensive energy was remarkable and we were really good on that end of the floor. Our problem was that we were unable to match that intensity on the offensive end. We turned the ball over making mentally wrong decisions, not because they were forcing us to turn it over. The effort we gave on offense just wasn't good enough," stated head coach DeAnn Craft.
UTPA would come within two points at the 9:05 mark after a three-pointer from junior, Devin Reed (Indianapolis, IN/Cowley County C.C.). The Lady Broncs were able to keep the game close before NTU's Erika Bobo would go on a five-point run to take the score to 23-16 with 3:27 to go in the half.
"We didn't contain Bobo the way we needed to. She's very athletic and we didn't defend her well enough," said Craft.
The Lady Broncs responded with four points of their own including a Dottie Knerr (Winter Park, FL/Winter Park H.S.) jumper, and a MaHogany Daniel (Corpus Christ, TX/ Mary Carroll H.S.) lay-up to head into intermission down three, 33-30.
In the second half the Lady Broncs would go down by six, 42-36, as NTU would convert on five free throw opportunities within a one minute stretch. The Mean Green finished the contests with 20 points coming from the charity stripe.
"We bailed them out way to many times. You can't give such a physically skilled team so may opportunities at the line. Not only did it give them those opportunities at the line but it left my girls in foul trouble," comment Craft.
Pierce was a key player affected by foul trouble. She hit a big jumper with 4:57 remaining to take her team to within three, 43-40, but would have to spend the rest of the game on the bench when she picked up her fifth foul with 3:34 to go.
"Ty really showed us tonight that she can be a big game player. She really stepped up and hit big shots to keep us close in both halves tonight. I think she realizes how valuable she is on the floor and that she has a big game mentality where she can change the game for us. Her aggressiveness got her into foul trouble and it hurt that we didn't have her on the floor down the stretch," Craft said.
The Lady Broncs would fight back to within six points after two free throw makes from Dominique Montague (Gilbert, AZ/Central Arizona College), but the team would not get any closer and suffered the 57-50 loss.
Pierce would lead the team with 12 points, while Reed added 11 and three steals on the night. Daniel and Pierce both finished with a team-high five rebounds, and Montague recorded five assists. The team moves to 4-7 on the season.
The Lady Broncs will continue play after Christmas on Dec. 29th on the road against Lafayette College.
UTPA Sports Information
