Jan. 30, 2010

Final Stats

EDINBURG, TX--The University of Texas-Pan American women's basketball team came back for a eight point deficit to defeat the University of South Dakota (USD), 60-57 at the UTPA Fieldhouse, this Saturday afternoon (Jan. 30) in Edinburg, TX.

The game started with a quick basket by Rose Esther Jean with 19:14 on the clock to take an early 2-0 lead. USD answered right back with a three-point basket by Abby Kinder to take over the lead with 18:55 showing on the clock. Maria Ben Erlingsdottir was fouled on the ensuing possession and sank two free throws to re-gain the lead and that would be last time in the first half the Lady Broncs would own the lead.

In the second half, the two teams would battle back and forth until two free throws by Marah Guzman with 2:10 left in the game, gave the Lady Broncs a one point lead, 54-53, for the first time since early in the first half.

The Lady Broncs stretched the lead to four points after two more free throws, this time by Bianca Torre, making the score 58-54. USD's Kara Iverson hit a three-point basket with just under three seconds left in he game to get with in one point.

On the inbound pass, USD quickly fouled Guzman, sending her to the free throw line, where she sank both to go up again by three with just over two seconds on the clock. USD was able to get off a three point shot to try to send the game into overtime, but the ball hit the front of the rim, securing the victory for the Lady Broncs.

"We have to quit getting ourselves in such big holes in the first half," said head coach Denny Downing. "It just takes so much energy to get back in the game. I am really happy we fought back and when we took the lead we kept it," added Downing

Aleeya Grigsby had a double-double leading the Lady Broncs in scoring with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Guzman added 14 points and nine rebounds with Torre and Jean each adding 11 points to close out the leading scores for the Lady Broncs.

Abby Kinder led USD with a game high 19 points followed by Amber Hegge with 13 points. Kara Iverson added 11 points to round out USD's leading scorers.

The Lady Broncs shot 43.2% from the field, 31.6% and 64.7% from the free-throw line. USD shot 37.7% from the field, 32.1% from behind the three-point arc and 40.0% from the free-throw line.

The Lady Broncs return to action on Thursday, February 4, when they face Utah Valley University in Orem, UT. Game time is set for 5:30 CST.