|
TWU
Home > Student
Life > Athletics > Basketball > 1/20/07
TWU TAKES DOWN TARLETON STATE 66-62
 DENTON, Texas (Jan. 20) – Thanks to a suffocating second half defensive effort, the Texas Woman’s University Pioneers rallied from an eleven point halftime deficit and defeated the Tarleton State TexAnns 66-62 on Saturday afternoon at Kitty Magee Arena in Denton, Texas.
The first half of this game was a back and forth affair. Neither TWU or TSU could pull away, and the lead changed hands numerous times in the first fifteen minutes of play. Then, late in the half, a rash of turnovers by the Pioneers gave the momentum to the TexAnns. TSU closed the half on a 15-4 run to take a 39-28 lead into the locker room at the break.
Several defensive adjustments by TWU head coach Rene Hanebutt would pay immediate dividends for the Pioneers. TWU picked up its ball pressure defensively, and consequently, forced the TSU offense out of sync. Sparked by their strong defensive play, TWU went on a 19-7 surge to start the second half and pulled ahead, 47-46, with less than ten minutes to play in regulation.
TSU would answer the Pioneers push, and a three-point basket by TexAnns senior guard Katie Crawford put the visitors back in front 56-55 with 3:26 left to play.
Sophomore guard Maggy Deweber (pictured) would respond for TWU. She first scored a three-point play on a driving layup (plus a foul) to give TWU a 58-56 advantage. Then, after Tarleton State tied the game on a jump shot by guard Olivia Pyburn, Deweber nailed a three-point basket from the top of the key to stake the Pioneers to a 61-58 lead. Two free throws by Crawford pulled TSU back to within a point, 61-60, before the Pioneers Jessica Durr converted a short jump shot to extend the TWU margin to 63-60.
After a TexAnn’s turnover, TSU head coach Ronnie Hearne was whistled for a technical foul with only 18 seconds remaining on the clock. TWU freshman post player Chelsea Cook calmly stepped to line and drained both free throws to move the Pioneers lead to 65-60 and vanquish any hopes that Tarleton State had of a come back.
Hanebutt said after the game that the Pioneers second half team defense made the difference.
“At halftime, I told my kids to focus on the defensive end of the court. I felt that if we could pick things up defensively, we could get back in the game. That’s exactly what happened, we turned up our defensive intensity and kept Tarleton from getting into any type of offensive flow. And, as it usually does, our offense fed on our strong defensive effort and we got a few easy buckets,” she explained.
Senior post player Margaret Wimbish led TWU offensively in the game with 16 points. Deweber totaled fifteen points for the Pioneers and Cook finished with 12 points to her credit. Wimbish and Cook also turned in a solid effort on the boards, grabbing 11 and 8 rebounds respectively.
Crawford made of 5 of the 7 three-point shots she attempted in the game and led TSU in scoring with 21 points. Her starting backcourt partner, freshman Krystal Cole, contributed 11 points for the TexAnns.
The dramatic win improves the Pioneers record to 9-8 overall and 3-1 in Lone Star Conference South Division play. The loss by Tarleton State, their first conference defeat of the season, drops the TexAnns overall record to 9-4, 2-1 in the Lone Star Conference South Division.
Hanebutt is hopeful that this victory will spark TWU in the conference race.
“This is a big win for us. To come from behind and beat Tarleton State says a lot about the potential of my team. This game could be a turning point that helps us get on a roll in the second half of the season,” she said.
The Pioneers will enjoy a brief three day break before returning to action on Wednesday, Jan. 24, when they host the Abilene Christian Wildcats at 7:00 p.m. at Magee Arena.
For additional information, please contact the TWU Sports Information office at (940) 898-2373.
|
