Jan. 20, 2010

Final Stats

Wichita Falls, Texas – Join Unruh and Megan McLain combined for 38 points, as 11^th-ranked West Texas A&M pounded Midwestern State, 82-62, Wednesday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum in Wichita Falls, Texas.

WTAMU improves its record to 18-2 overall, 2-1 in LSC South play, while MSU falls to 6-9 overall, 0-2 LSC South.

The win also gave WTAMU head coach Krista Gerlich her 100^th career victory, a feat she accomplished in just 118 games, making her the quickest coach in WT women’s basketball history to reach the century mark.

“We didn’t want to let Midwestern State stay in the game,” said WT head coach Krista Gerlich.  “We knew that they would have a crowd behind them, especially in the second half.  I thought we did a very good job of answering everything that they did.  We didn’t allow them any big runs.

“To get 100 wins this quickly simply means that we have had some very good players in our program,” Gerlich continued.  “I’m just happy for all the players that have bought into what we’ve wanted to do with our basketball program.  This is all a result of their efforts.”

Defensively, the Lady Buffs held MSU to just 35.6 percent from the floor and registered their 10^th outing of not allowing their opponent to reach 60 points.

The Lady Buffs broke open a tight, 12-11, contest at the 11:28 mark, into a 10-point lead at 33-23 with 2:22 remaining in the first half.  That lead stretched to 40-28 as Holly Isaacs hit a three-point shot at the halftime buzzer.

WT continued to expand their lead in the second half.  Jamie Simmons’ 10-foot jumper at the 15-minute mark gave the Lady Buffs a 53-37 lead. 

Maddy Brown’s three-point play on a steal, layup and ensuing free throw at the 8:21 mark put the Lady Buffs up by 21 points, 66-45.  From that point, it was academic, as WT cruised to what would be a 20-point victory.

“This was a great response to our loss at Abilene Christian last Saturday,” Gerlich said.  “We had some very intense practices and carried that intensity through tonight’s game.  I’m very proud of how we played tonight.”

Unruh led the Lady Buffs with 21 points, while McClain scored 17 and Simmons added 12.  Ceciley Johnson grabbed nine rebounds, while Simmons had six boards.

The Lady Buffs shot 47.4 percent from the floor, while outrebounding the Mustangs by a 43-39 margin.

Midwestern State was paced by Cierra Thompson’s 14 points.  Savannah Carver added 13 and Aqueelah Watkins score 12 for the Mustangs.  Watkins had nine rebounds to lead MSU in that category.

The Lady Buffs return home to host Tarleton State, Saturday, Jan. 23. Tipoff at the First United Bank Center is set for 4 p.m. CST.