Dec. 17, 2003

AUSTIN, TX-Fifth-ranked Texas jumped out to an early lead and defeated The University of Texas-Pan American's women's basketball, 90-25, at the Frank Erwin Center Wednesday evening.

Texas put the game away, early scoring the first 20 points of the game. UTPA got on the board when Jennifer Piwonka (Jr. /Louise, Texas/Louise HS) hit a jumper with 14:36 left in the first half. The Lady Broncs had a run of seven unanswered points starting with a jumper by Dawnne Cheadle (Jr. /Roswell, N.M./Roswell HS/Seminole State College) with 7:34 remaining in the first half. Another jumper by Cheadle and a three-pointer by Ashley Roberts (Jr. Hernando, Miss. /Hernando HS/Butler County CC) finished the run a minute later.

The Longhorns finished the game shooting 54.8 percent on 34 of 62 from the field. UT also had a season-high nine three-pointers, and their 24 assists also was a season best. The Lady Broncs were held to 23.1 per cent from the field and were outrebounded, 47-26.

For UTPA (5-3), Cheadle led the way with six points and two steals while Roberts had five points and two steals. Heather Schreiber had 17 points and four steals to lead Texas, while Kala Bowers added 16 points and eight rebounds.

"We got some good looks in the first 10 minutes, but it was like there was a lid on the basket," said UTPA Head Coach DeAnn Craft. "They built such a big lead, and then it becomes a confidence factor. They are so gifted and so deep, and we could not match up with them inside at all. We shot 19 per cent in the first half and they shot 55 per cent, and it became insurmountable. We played hard, but we couldn't throw it in the ocean, and if you are even going to try to compete with a team like that, you have to shoot better. Texas is a gifted team, and they are very well deserving of their ranking."

"We wanted to play well from the start tonight," said UT Head Coach Jody Conradt. "It was important to start as strong as we finished against North Texas on Sunday. We needed that continuation of intensity and energy, and that will help us prepare for Saturday's game. Kalee Carey and Mercedes Williams both did well. UT Pan American was doubling down on them, and made them work hard."

The Lady Broncs will return to action when they host Marshall Friday night and Central Michigan Sunday afternoon.