Dec. 12, 2009

Final Stats

EDINBURG, TX--With four Lady Broncs in double figures, the University of Texas-Pan American women's basketball program defeated the Lady Hilltoppers of St. Edward's University, 68-41, Saturday afternoon (Dec. 12) at the UTPA Fieldhouse.

The Lady Broncs jumped out to an early lead on a basket by Rose Esther Jean with 19:27 showing on the game clock. The Lady Hilltoppers came back and took the lead 6-5, after Brittany Ward sank two free throws with 15:18 left in the first half. The lead was short lived as Jean drained a jump shot to put the Lady Broncs back on top 7-6 at the 14:06 mark. The Lady Broncs went on to take a 12-point lead into the dressing room at halftime with the score at 29-17.

In the second half, the Lady Broncs didn't allow St. Edward's to find their rhythm, keeping them off the boards. In the second half alone, the Lady Broncs pulled down 27 rebounds, finishing the game with a total of 49. Aleeya Grigsby stepped up her play in the second half, scoring 10 of her 16 points after the first half.

Grigsby recorded a double-double with a game high 16 points and 13 rebounds. Bianca Torre added 14 points and two steals. Jean also recorded a double-double, scoring 11 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and blocked two shots. Maria Ben Erlingsdottir added 10 points to round out the leading scorers for the Lady Broncs.

The Lady Hilltoppers were led by Kelli Payton with 15 points and four rebounds, while Sarah Milewski and Monica James each added six points.

"We had plenty of people contribute today. I'm happy with the way Aleeya (Grigsby) and Rose Esther (Jean) played today. I thought our defensive was solid," said head coach Denny Downing. "Overall, from the field, we shot better than we have in the past and that's what you should do at home."

The Lady Broncs shot 43.8% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the three-point line. St. Edward's shot 25.0% from the field and 15.6% from beyond the three-point line.

The Lady Broncs return to action this Saturday, Dec. 19, as they host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at the UTPA Fieldhouse with game time slated for 5:00 p.m.