Feb. 4, 2004

The West Texas A&M University women's basketball team will take its winning streak and its new national ranking on the road for a pair of Lone Star Conference South division contests.

The Lady Buffs, breaking into the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll at No. 22, open the road trip on Thursday, Feb. 7, at Denton, Texas, taking on Texas Woman's University in a 7 p.m. tip-off at TWU's Kitty Magee Arena.

WTAMU continues to Wichita Falls, Texas to take on Midwestern State University on Saturday, Jan. 9. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at MSU's Stockton Court.

Fans can tune into the Buffalo Sports Network, on KGNC 710 AM or streamed on the Internet at www.gobuffsgo.com.

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About The Teams

WTAMU is 17-2 overall and 5-1 in LSC South action, having won 12 -straight and 16 of the last 17 games. The Lady Buffs make their season debut this week in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll, breaking in at No. 22 {See Page 5 For Complete Poll}. WTAMU is ranked No. 6 in the South Central Regional Rankings {Complete NCAA-II Regional Rankings}

On Thursday, WTAMU upset No. 8 Angelo State University, 57-55 . Celeste Stevenson hit the game-winning running layup with 10.1 seconds left and Vasha Adams had two blocks in the final five seconds as the Lady Buffs upset the nationally-ranked Rambelles for the second-straight year at the WTAMU Event Center and the third-consecutive season overall.

The win streak continued on Saturday with a 68-64 win over Abilene Christian University, the first time that the Lady Buffs have defeated the Wildcats at the WTAMU Event Center.

Texas Woman's brings a 2-17 overall and 1-5 LSC South record into Thursday's game, after snapping a 12-game losing streak with an 81-80 win over Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday.

Midwestern State is 14-5 overall and 3-3 in LSC South action, having won just two of the five contests, entering Thursday's game against Eastern New Mexico. The Indians, the LSC South preseason favorite, defeated Texas A&M-Kingsville, 74-54, on Saturday. MSU is ranked No. 9 in the South Central Regional Rankings {Complete NCAA-II Regional Rankings}.

The Coaches

WTAMU head coach Bob Schneider (West Texas A&M, 1958), is in his 23rd year at the helm of the Lady Buffs. Schneider, who is WTAMU's winningest head coach for most wins and percentage {See Page 6 for WTAMU's Coaching Log}, has a 528-146 (.783) record at his alma mater and a 577-184 (.758) in his 26 seasons as a collegiate head coach.

Overall, Schneider has coached basketball for 41 seasons, starting at the high school level before moving up to the college ranks. Schneider is approaching a milestone that some coaches can only dream about and few coaches actually achieve: a 1,000 career victory, as his overall coaching record is 988-276 (.782).

Schneider has guided the Lady Buffs to 16 seasons of 20-plus wins. He has received the LSC Coach of the Year award five time, leading WTAMU to eight LSC titles in 13 years in the league. The Lady Buffs have been to the postseason 14 times in the last 18 years under Schneider's leadership.

Texas Woman's head coach Devin Gabbard (Texas Woman's, 1996) is in his fourth year directing the Pioneer program. Gabbard has compiled a 25-73 (.255) career record. He came to TWU after a stint as an assistant coach at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Midwestern State is coached by Shannon Burks (Evangel, Ill., 1986), who has a 86-48 (.642) career record. Burks led the Indians to the NCAA-II Regional last year, losing to top-seed Washburn in the first-round.

About WTAMU

WTAMU is 17-2 overall and 5-1 in LSC South action, having won 12 -straight and 16 of the last 17 games. The Lady Buffs make their season debut this week in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll, breaking in at No. 22 {See Page 5 For Complete Poll}. WTAMU is ranked No. 6 in the South Central Regional Rankings {See Page 5 For Complete Rankings}.

On Thursday, WTAMU upset No. 8 Angelo State University, 57-55. Celeste Stevenson hit the game-winning running layup with 10.1 seconds left and Vasha Adams had two blocks in the final five seconds as the Lady Buffs upset the nationally-ranked Rambelles for the second-straight year at the WTAMU Event Center and the third-consecutive season overall.

The win streak continued on Saturday with a 68-64 win over Abilene Christian University, the first time that the Lady Buffs have defeated the Wildcats at the WTAMU Event Center.

WTAMU leads the LSC and is 26th in the country in scoring margin (+13.2). The Lady Buffs rank second in the conference and 36th in the nation in scoring offense (73.9 ppg). WTAMU also lead the league in steals (12.53 spg) and second in assists (15.84 apg). The Lady Buffs rank third in the league and 30th in the country in 3-point FG pct. (.364), as well as second in the LSC and 40th in the nation in 3-point FG made (116, 6.11 pg).

On the season, Stevenson, a 5-10 junior forward, leads WTAMU and is sixth in the conference with 16.9 ppg and adds 6.3 rpg, which ranks tied for 16th in the league. Stevenson also ranks 10th in the LSC in field goal pct. (.518).

Carlee Howard, a 5-5 senior guard, leads the league and is 17th in the nation in 3-point FG made (51, 2.68 pg) and ranks second in the conference and 20th in the country in 3-point FG pct (.436).

Adams, a 6-1 junior forward, adds 10.1 ppg to go with 6.4 rpg, ranking 14th in the LSC. Adams leads the conference in steals (2.89 spg) and is fifth in blocked shots (1.33 bpg). Suni Jo Petty, a 5-7 junior guard, adds 8.3 ppg and ranks ninth in the league in 3-point FG made (34, 1.79 pg) and tied for 14th in 3-point FG pct. (.374).

Jennifer Brock, a 5-8 sophomore guard, leads the team and is 12th in the conference in assists (3.00 apg) and is fourth in the league in assist/turnover ratio (1.78).

Stevenson Movin' On Up In WTAMU's Record Book:

Junior forward Celeste Stevenson has moved into WTAMU's Top 10 Scoring List, as she currently has 1,302 points and presently at No. 8, passing Rhonda Kimbrough (1981-83) with 1,270 points, and behind Debbie Webb (1974-78) at No. 7 with 1,391 points, while Vanessa Wells (1984-88) is No. 1 with 1,906 points.

Stevenson currently is No. 2 for Career Free Throws Made and Attempted, behind Natasha Taylor (1993-97) with 465-637. Stevenson is presently 450-608 (.740).

Adams Named LSC South Player of the Week

Vasha Adams received LSC South Player of the Week honors, following her performance in WTAMU's last two games, registering career highs in three categories. In WTAMU's 57-55 upset victory over ASU Thursday, Adams had 10 points and a career-high six blocked shots, including two in the final five seconds as the Lady Buffs held off an ASU frenzy to upset the nationally-ranked Rambelles for the second-straight year at home, knocking off then-No. 7 ASU last year.

In Saturday's 68-64 win over ACU, Adams had a career-high 21 points and a career-high seven steals as the Lady Buffs beat the Wildcats for the first time ever at the WTAMU Event Center, as ACU had won the previous two contests, including a win in the first-ever game at the facility on Jan. 26, 2002.

WTAMU's Current Win Streak

The Lady Buffs' current 12-game win streak is their longest since a 14-game victory run in the 1998-99 season, spanning from Jan. 16, 1999 - Feb. 25, 1999. The run was stopped by Abilene Christian in the LSC Championship game, 70-57, on WTAMU's home court on Feb. 27.

Lady Buffs On The Road

This season, WTAMU is 6-2 on the road, having won its last four road contests.

The Lady Buffs are 13-1 against TWU at Denton, winning the last three road match-ups with the Pioneers. TWU is 2-8 at home this season.

WTAMU has lost three of the last four games against MSU at Wichita Falls, as last year's 78-75 loss snapped a three-game win streak there. The Indians are 7-2 at home this season.

About TWU

Texas Woman's brings a 2-17 overall and 1-5 LSC South record into Thursday's game, after snapping a 12-game losing streak with an 81-80 win over Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday.

Julie Prescher, a 5-9 senior guard, hit a 3-pointer with 1:06 left that held up as the game-winner, as TAMU-C missed three shots and two free throws down the stretch. Daphne Lyons, a 6-3 senior forward led TWU with 18 points, while Lacey Pemberton, a 6-0 senior forward, tallied 13 points and pulled down a game-high seven rebounds, off the bench, as the Pioneers held on from 45-38 halftime lead.

As a team, TWU is second in the LSC in 3-point FG defense (.291) and fourth in assists (14.89 apg), but not higher than fifth in any other category, including last in turnover margin (-6.83). The Pioneers are 13th in the conference in scoring margin (-10.3), being outscored by an average of 69.2-58.9.

Individually, Prescher leads TWU and is 26th in the conference in scoring with an 11.1 ppg average. Prescher is third in the league and 44th in the nation in 3-point FG made (46, 2.42 pg) and is tied for seventh in the conference and is 38th in the country in 3-point FG pct. (.404). Lyons averages 10.5 ppg and is fourth in the conference in field goal percentage (.550) and sixth in blocked shots (18, 0.95 bpg). Kenyada Frazier, a 6-2 junior forward, is seventh in the league in field goal percentage (.536), 10th in blocked shots (15, 0.83 bpg) and 18th in rebounding (6.1 rpg). Megan McCrummen, a 5-5 freshman guard, is third in the league in assists (4.53 apg) and is 10th in assist/turnover ratio (0.95), while 5-4 junior guard Lauri Engleman is 10th in the conference in assists (3.06 apg) and seventh in assist/turnover ratio (1.24).

WTAMU-TWU Series History

The Lady Buffs lead the series, 27-3, winning the last seven meetings.

In the first meeting last year, WTAMU held on to defeat TWU, 72-68, on Feb. 6 at Denton, after leading by as much as 19 points in the game. The win was the Lady Buffs' season-long fourth-straight victory.

Tia Banks led WTAMU with a game-high 19 points, playing the entire game, while Celeste Stevenson tallied 17 points and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds. Jennifer Brock and Suni Jo Petty tallied 11 points apiece, with Petty dishing out five assists. Julie Prescher and Jessica Springer led TWU with 14 points apiece, as Springer pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. TWU's bench outscored WTAMU's, 30-6.

The Lady Buffs shot a paltry 35.5 percent (11-31) in the second half, finishing the night 26-66 (40.0 percent). The Pioneers had a 41.7 shooting percentage on the night (26-60). TWU held a slight 43-41 rebounding advantage, despite committing five more turnovers (16-11).

On Feb. 15 at the WTAMU Event Center, the Lady Buffs outscored TWU, 50-32 in the second half to run away with a 87-68 victory. WTAMU pulled away from a 37-36 halftime lead by shooting 51.6 percent (16-31) from the field in the second half, finishing the night, 29-59 (49.2 percent).

All five WTAMU starters tallied double-figures, led by Carlee Howard's career-high 22 points, draining a career-high six 3-pointers. Keisha Monroe had what was at the time a career-high with 17 points and pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds, helping the Lady Buffs to a 36-29 rebounding edge. Stevenson and Brock netted 14 points apiece, with Brock dishing out a career-high eight assists, while Petty added 11 points.

The Lady Buffs outscored the Pioneers, 20-8 from the free throw line.

TWU was led by Lacey Pemberton's 15 points off the bench. The Pioneers committed 22 turnovers.

About MSU

Midwestern State is 14-5 overall and 3-3 in LSC South action, having won just two of the five contests, entering Thursday's game against Eastern New Mexico. The Indians, the LSC South preseason favorite, defeated Texas A&M-Kingsville, 74-54, on Saturday. MSU is ranked No. 9 in the South Central Regional Rankings {Complete NCAA-II Regional Rankings}.

Jel-ani Armstrong, a 6-0 senior forward, registered her fourth-straight double-double with game-highs of 25 points and 12 rebounds, as the Indians had a 34-22 rebounding edge. Meosha Walker, a 5-7 senior guard, tallied 12 points to go with three assists and three steals. The Indians shot a blistering 55.6 percent from the field in the first half, bolting out to a 45-28 halftime lead and never looked back.

MSU leads the conference and is seventh in the nation in 3-point FG percentage (.394) and also lead the conference and rank 36th in the country in scoring offense, lighting up the scoreboard for 76.1 points per contest. The Indians are giving up 66.8 ppg, ranking eighth in scoring defense and fourth in scoring margin (+9.3). MSU is second in the conference and 37th in the country in field goal percentage (.445) and rank third in the league and 32nd in the nation in free throw percentage (.744). The Indians also lead the conference in assists (16.53 apg) and rank third in steals (9.63 spg).

MSU does rank last in 3-point FG pct. defense (.358) and is 12th in field goal pct. defense (.426).

Individually, Walker leads the Indians with an 18.3 ppg average, ranking fourth in the LSC and 36th in the nation in scoring. Walker has tallied 23.3 ppg in MSU's six conference contests, including a season-high 30 in the Indians' 87-73 loss at Abilene Christian on Jan. 22. Walker leads the conference in 3-point FG percentage (.450), but doesn't have enough attempts to qualify for national ranking. She is seventh in the league in 3-point FG made (36, 1.89 pg). Walker also leads the conference and is 31st in the country in assists (5.21 apg) and is fourth in the league in steals (2.26 spg), ranking fifth in assist/turnover ratio (1.34).

Armstrong averages a double-double per contest with 16.9 ppg and 10.3 rpg. She ranks seventh in the LSC in scoring and is second in the conference and 23rd in the nation in rebounding. Armstrong also is third in the league and 26th in the country in blocked shots (38, 2.0 pg).

The third player averaging in double figures for MSU is 5-7 sophomore guard Haley Hobson, who is 19th in the conference with 12.7 ppg. Hobson also is third in the league in 3-point FG percentage (.431), but also does not have enough attempts to qualify for the national statistics. She is 13th in the conference in 3-point FG made (28, 1.47 pg). Hobson also is ninth in the league in field goal percentage (.523) and 15th in assists (2.84 apg).

Lady Buffs-Indians Series History

WTAMU leads the all-time series, 22-7, but MSU has won the last three meetings, including both match-ups last season.

The Indians edged the Lady Buffs in the first meeting of the season at Wichita Falls, 78-75, on Feb. 8. WTAMU had a 46-39 halftime lead, shooting 59.3 percent (16-27) from the field in the first half. However, MSU rallied back to outscore WTAMU in the second half, 39-29. The Lady Buffs committed 19 turnovers and were outrebounded, 38-31.

Four WTAMU players posted double-figures, led by Celeste Stevenson's 19 points, followed by Suni Jo Petty with 15 points, Tia Banks with 14 and Carlee Howard coming off the bench to tally 13 points.

MSU also had four players in double-digit scoring, led by Adrian Fincher's game-high 25 points, while Jel-ani Armstrong added 16 points and Meosha Walker and Haley Hobson chipped in with 14 and 11 points respectively.

Five days later, the Indians defeated the Lady Buffs at the WTAMU Event Center, 78-71, on Feb. 13.

Stevenson had game-highs of 25 points and 16 rebounds, helping WTAMU to a 47-37 advantage on the glass, but the Lady Buffs shot 35.9 percent (23-64) from the field for the game. Keisha Monroe added 15 points off the bench and Petty netted 13 points.

The Indians had three players in double-figures, led by Armstrong with 22 points, followed by Kristin Ramsey's 20 points off the bench and Octavia Holmes added a dozen points.

Lady Buffs' Last Time Out:
WTAMU Defeats ACU for First-Time Ever In WTAMU Event Center, 68-64, Saturday (Jan. 31, 2004)
Lady Buffs Run Win Streak To 12 and Nine At Home; Take Sole Possession of LSC South

The West Texas A&M University women's basketball did something Saturday night it had never done before in the WTAMU Event Center, as the Lady Buffs edged Abilene Christian University, 68-64, in a Lone Star Conference South division showdown. It was the Lady Buffs' 12-straight win and their ninth-straight at home as WTAMU takes over sole possession of first-place of the LSC South division.

JJ Jumper, the official mascot of NCAA Basketball, entertained the crowd of 1,526 in attendance.

It was the Lady Buffs' first win over ACU at the WTAMU Event Center, as the Wildcats had won the previous two meetings there, including a victory in the first-ever game in the facility on Jan. 26, 2002. ACU won last year's meeting, on Feb. 20, the last time that WTAMU has lost at home as the Lady Buffs currently have a nine-game win streak and are 8-0 at home this season.

Junior forward Celeste Stevenson tallied a game-high 25 points, including 17 in the second half. Stevenson was 13-14 from the line, making her first 13 attempts from the charity stripe before finally missing with 11 seconds left. Fellow junior forward Vasha Adams had a career-night, netting a career-high 21 points to go with a career and game-high seven steals. Sophomore guard Jennifer Brock scored 13 points off the bench for the Lady Buffs, who improve to 17-2 overall and 5-1 in the LSC South, taking over sole possession of first-place.

ACU had its five-game win streak snapped and is now 11-7 overall and 3-2 in LSC South play.

The Wildcats were led by Ashley King's 18 points, while Melanie Carter had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Lynsie Blau, who entered the game leading the conference and ranked fifth in the nation in rebounds, pulled down a game-high 12 boards, helping ACU to a 42-35 rebounding advantage. Blau also recorded a game-high six blocked shots, as she came into Saturday also leading the league in that category and eighth in the country.

Free throws and turnovers were the story of the game Saturday, as WTAMU outscored ACU, 26-7 from the charity stripe. The Lady Buffs were 26-31 (a season-best 83.9 percent) from the free throw line, while the Wildcats were just 7-14 (50.0 percent). ACU also committed 22 turnovers, compared to a season-low 11 for WTAMU, as the Lady Buffs improved to 13-1 when committing fewer turnovers than their opponent.

ACU opened the game with a 12-4 lead, before WTAMU reeled off the next nine points to take a 13-12 lead with 11:20 left in the half on a 3-pointer from Brock, just her third of the season.

The Lady Buffs opened up a 33-24 lead with 40 seconds until halftime on a pair of free throws from Stevenson, and WTAMU had a 33-27 halftime lead.

Neither team scored for the first three and half minutes of the second half, as ACU's Leah Wilson finally ended the drought with a 3-pointer at the 16:27 mark.

WTAMU opened a 56-47 lead with 3:53 to play after a three-point play from Stevenson, but the Wildcats clawed back to 60-59 with 1:37 on a layup by Blau.

The Lady Buffs regained control on a Stevenson layup and a fast-break layup from Brock after a steal and assist from sophomore guard Tiffany Lewis, to go up 64-59 with 49 seconds left.

Adams hit one-of-two free throws with 25 seconds left, after being fouled while rebounding the second of two ACU shots.

Carter hit a layup with 12.7 seconds left to pull the Wildcats within four at 65-61.

Stevenson then hit one-of-two free throws with 10.7 seconds left to put WTAMU up 66-61, missing the second and snapping her streak of 15-straight free throws extending back to Thursday's upset win over No. 8 Angelo State. ASU suffered its second-straight upset loss Saturday, being beaten by Eastern New Mexico, 71-66.

King hit a 3-pointer with 4.4 ticks left, but Brock iced the victory for WTAMU with a pair of free throws with 2.7 seconds remaining.

Lady Buffs' Next Action

WTAMU returns home for a four-game homestand at the friendly confines of the WTAMU Event Center, opening on Feb. 12 against Texas Woman's in a 7 p.m. tip.

Fans can catch the action on the Buffalo Sports Network on KGNC 710 AM and www.gobuffsgo.com.

-WT-