|
TWU
Home > Student
Life > Athletics > Basketball > 11/30/06
PIONEERS CAN’T OVERCOME COLD SHOOTING IN 69-63 LOSS TO UCO
DENTON , Texas (Nov. 30) – The weather in Denton, Texas on Thursday night was unusually cold. And, in their 69-63 loss to the UCO Bronchos at Kitty Magee Arena, so was the shooting for the Texas Woman’s University Pioneers.
For the game, TWU converted just 35.6% of their field goal attempts, not nearly good enough for the Pioneers to overcome the Bronchos 48.9% shooting percentage for the night.
Sloppy play hurt the Pioneers in the opening stages of the contest. UCO took advantage of fifteen TWU turnovers in the opening twenty minutes of play to forge a 32-19 halftime lead. The multiple TWU miscues also hampered the play of the Pioneers’ top player, senior post Margaret Wimbish. Wimbish, the reigning Lone Star Conference player of the week, came into the game averaging 23.0 points a night. Against the Bronchos in the first half, Wimbish attempted just two shots and was held scoreless.
TWU head coach Rene Hanebutt was frustrated by her club’s early struggles.
“For whatever reason, we were not ready to play when the game started. I don’t know if it was the weather or the long layoff (from the Thanksgiving holiday). My team had no focus, we played passive and distracted, and consequently, we fell behind early,” said Hanebutt.
The Pioneers would try to regroup after halftime, but UCO would not allow the home team to rally. The Bronchos aggressive zone defense kept TWU from finding any type of offensive rhythm. The visitors built their lead to twenty points, 56-36, with 9:00 minutes to play.
At that point, TWU responded. The Pioneers outscored UCO 27-13 to end the game, but the deficit was too large for TWU to come all the way back.
“The light finally came on for us with about four minutes left,” stated Hanebutt. “But by then, we were already way behind. We can’t play in spurts and be a successful basketball team. We need consistent effort for a full forty minutes, and we just didn’t have that tonight.”
Three players – sophomore forward Lizzie Brenner, junior guard Cassidy Pillow, and junior guard Antonia Smith – totaled double-digit points in the win for UCO (2-3, 0-0 LSC North). Sophomore guard Maggy Deweber led TWU offensively in the loss with 15 points, including two three-point baskets.
The Pioneers (2-2, 0-0 LSC South) will be back in action on their home court this Saturday afternoon, Dec. 2, at 2:00 p.m. when they play the Northeastern State Lady Reds. TWU has designated this game as the NCAA “Take-A-Kid To A Game Day.” All kids in eighth grade and below will receive free admission with the purchase of one $4.00 adult admission.
For additional information, please contact the TWU Sports Information Office at (940) 898-2373. |
