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GAME NOTES: No. 19 WTAMU Tips-Off LSC Tournament On Tuesday Taking On TSU
March 2, 2004
The West Texas A&M University women's basketball team will be making its 11th-straight appearance in the Lone Star Conference Tournament when the Lady Buffs host a first-round match-up on Tuesday and if they win that, then host the semifinals and championship game on Friday and Saturday, respectively. WTAMU earned the right to host the LSC Tournament by winning the LSC South division, the first time since the 1998-99 season that the Lady Buffs have done so.
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format
WTAMU will host Tarleton State University, the No. 4 seed from the LSC North, on Tuesday, March 2. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the WTAMU Event Center.
Complete LSC Tournament Bracket in PDF Format
Tickets are on sale now at the WTAMU Event Center box office. Regular season ticket prices will remain in effect. However, there are no pass lists and no complimentary tickets. For more information, contact the ticket office at 806-651-1414.
Due to the WTAMU men's game on KGNC and streamed on the Internet at www.gobuffsgo.com, the Lady Buffs-TexAnns game will be on KAEZ, 105.7 FM.
About The Teams
WTAMU is 23-4 overall and ended LSC South play at 11-3. The Lady Buffs are tied for No. 19 in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll. WTAMU is No. 3 in the South Central Regional Rankings.
The Lady Buffs had their five-game win streak snapped Saturday at No. 17 Angelo State, 79-42, but have won 18 of their last 20 contests. {Complete NCAA-II Regional Rankings}.
On Thursday, WTAMU knocked off Abilene Christian, 69-66, which clinched the LSC South title thanks in part to Angelo State's 70-48 win over Eastern New Mexico, who was tied for the division lead with WTAMU. The Lady Buffs had to withstand an ACU 3-point attempt at the buzzer that clanked off the rim.
WTAMU was led by junior forward Celeste Stevenson's fifth double-double of the season and fourth in the last five games with a game-high 18 points and tying a game-high with 12 rebounds. Fellow junior forward Vasha Adams also registered a double-double with 18 points and tying Stevenson with 12 boards. It was Adams' sixth double-double of the season and second in a row. Senior guard Carlee Howard became WTAMU's single-season 3-point leader with three 3-pointers, passing Lori DeShields' 79 treys in the 1994-95 season.
On Saturday, WTAMU was overtaken by Angelo State early and never recovered, as the Lady Buffs had their lowest point output and shooting percentage of the season in a 79-42 loss to the 17th-ranked Rambelles. WTAMU shot an icy 15.7 percent (8-51) from the field. Howard was the only Lady Buff in double-figures, netting 13 points, including three 3-pointers.
Tarleton State brings a 14-13 overall record into the postseason, after finishing with a 7-5 ledger in the LSC North. The TexAnns have won two in a row, including clinching a berth on Thursday by knocking off East Central, 79-58 and Saturday's 61-54 win at Southeastern Oklahoma. TSU is making its second appearance in the LSC Tournament in school history.
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 534-148 (.783) record at his alma mater and a 583-186 (.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 994-278 (.780).
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.
Tarleton State is coached by first-year head coach Ronnie Hearne (Abilene Christian, 1971). Hearne came to TSU from Cisco Junior College, where he coached for 21 seasons. He was 419-207 at CJC, leading them to four conference titles.
About WTAMU
WTAMU is 23-4 overall and ended LSC South play at 11-3. The Lady Buffs are tied for No. 19 in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll. WTAMU is No. 3 in the South Central Regional Rankings.
The Lady Buffs had their five-game win streak snapped Saturday at No. 17 Angelo State, 79-42, but have won 18 of their last 20 contests. {Complete NCAA-II Regional Rankings}.
On Thursday, WTAMU knocked off Abilene Christian, 69-66, which clinched the LSC South title thanks in part to Angelo State's 70-48 win over Eastern New Mexico, who was tied for the division lead with WTAMU. The Lady Buffs had to withstand an ACU 3-point attempt at the buzzer that clanked off the rim.
WTAMU was led by junior forward Celeste Stevenson's fifth double-double of the season and fourth in the last five games with a game-high 18 points and tying a game-high with 12 rebounds. Fellow junior forward Vasha Adams also registered a double-double with 18 points and tying Stevenson with 12 boards. It was Adams' sixth double-double of the season and second in a row. Senior guard Carlee Howard became WTAMU's single-season 3-point leader with three 3-pointers, passing Lori DeShields' 79 treys in the 1994-95 season.
On Saturday, WTAMU was overtaken by Angelo State early and never recovered, as the Lady Buffs had their lowest point output and shooting percentage of the season in a 79-42 loss to the 17th-ranked Rambelles. WTAMU shot an icy 15.7 percent (8-51) from the field. Howard was the only Lady Buff in double-figures, netting 13 points, including three 3-pointers.
WTAMU ranks second in the LSC and is tied for 10th in the country in scoring margin (+15.2). The Lady Buffs also lead the conference and rank 33rd in the nation in scoring offense (75.1 ppg), as well as third in the league in scoring defense (59.9 ppg). WTAMU is second in the LSC and 25th in the nation in 3-point FG pct. (.362) and also tied for second in the league and 24th in the country in 3-point FG made (174, 6.44 pg). The Lady Buffs also lead the league in both turnover margin (+6.11) and steals (13.41 spg).
On the season, Celeste Stevenson, a 5-10 junior forward, leads WTAMU and is sixth in the conference with 16.9 ppg and adds 7.1 rpg, which ranks 11th in the league. Stevenson also ranks 11th in the LSC in field goal pct. (.491), as well as 14th in free throw pct. (.782) and 15th in blocked shots (17, 0.63 bpg). Stevenson has logged five double-doubles on the season, including four in the last six games.
Carlee Howard, a 5-5 senior guard, leads the league and is fifth in the nation in 3-point FG made (85, 3.2 pg). Howard has drilled 27 3-pointers in the last six games, after making a total of just five treys in the previous four games. She also leads the conference and ranks ninth in the country in 3-point FG pct (.450). Howard ranks 24th in the league in scoring with 11.4 ppg.
Vasha Adams, a 6-1 junior forward, adds 10.5 ppg to go with a team-leading 7.4 rpg, ranking 11th in the LSC. Adams leads the conference and is 33rd in the nation in steals (3.26 spg), which is fourth on WTAMU's single-season steals average list. Adams also ranks fifth in blocked shots (34, 1.26 bpg) and is 15th in field goal pct. (.482). Adams has registered a team-high six double-doubles on the year.
Suni Jo Petty, a 5-7 junior guard, adds 7.9 ppg and is 13th in the league in 3-point FG made (44, 1.63 pg).
Jennifer Brock, a 5-8 sophomore guard, leads the team and is ninth in the conference in assists (3.26 apg).
The Lady Buffs are most likely without the services of 6-1 junior forward Tywanda Harris for the rest of the season, due to a hand injury. Harris averaged 9.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 0.69 bpg in 16 games.
Stevenson Movin' On Up In WTAMU's Record Book:
Junior forward Celeste Stevenson has moved into WTAMU's Top 10 Scoring List, and can move into the Top Five this week, as she currently has 1,436 points and presently at No. 6, Lori DeShields (1993-97) with 1,427 points, while Von Tucker (1984-88) is at No. 5 with 1,452 points. Vanessa Wells (1984-88) is No. 1 with 1,906 points.
Stevenson recently became the WTAMU record holder for both Career Free Throws Made and Career Free Throws Attempted records. Stevenson passed Natasha Taylor (1993-97) with 465-637. Stevenson is presently 493-658 (.749), ranking fourth on WTAMU's Career Free Throw Percentage List.
With 592 career rebounds, Stevenson is currently No. 6 on WTAMU's Career Rebounding List, behind Megan Kinen (1982-86) with 605 rebounds.
Howard Leaving Her Mark In LSC And WTAMU Record Book
Senior guard Carlee Howard set a new LSC and WTAMU record by draining 10 3-pointers in the Lady Buffs' 104-55 trouncing of Texas A&M-Commerce on Feb. 19. Former Lady Buff Valeree Valdez held the previous conference and school record by making nine 3-pointers vs. Southwestern Oklahoma on Dec. 11, 1998.
In Thursday's LSC South-clinching victory over Abilene Christian, Howard hit a trey 16 seconds into the game, becoming the WTAMU record holder for single-season 3-pointers, passing Lori DeShields' 79 treys in the 1994-95 season. Howard currently has 85 this season.
Howard also is WTAMU's Career 3-Point record holder with 206 career 3-pointers, passing DeShields' 198 treys from 1993-97.
WTAMU At Home
This season, the Lady Buffs are a perfect 12-0 at home. WTAMU has established the longest winning streak in the WTAMU Event Center, currently on a 13-game home winning streak, with the last home loss coming to Abilene Christian, 79-71, on Feb. 20, 2003.
Overall, the Lady Buffs are 25-5 at the WTAMU Event Center, which opened on Jan. 26, 2002, with the previous longest win streak being eight games, last season from Nov. 30, 2002 - Feb. 10, 2003. The streak was snapped on Feb. 13, 2003, with a 78-71 loss to Midwestern State.
The current 13-game home winning streak is tied for fifth on WTAMU's longest home win streak list. At No. 1 is the Lady Buffs' incredible 85-game home win streak from 1987-1991 in The Box.
About TSU
Tarleton State brings a 14-13 overall record into the postseason, after finishing with a 7-5 ledger in the LSC North. The TexAnns have won two in a row, including clinching a berth on Thursday by knocking off East Central, 79-58 and Saturday's 61-54 win at Southeastern Oklahoma. TSU is making its second appearance in the LSC Tournament in school history.
As a team, TSU is second in the LSC in both steals (10.33 spg) and turnover margin (+4.74). The TexAnns are fourth in the conference in scoring defense (62.5 pg), field goal percentages (.435), 3-point field goal percentage (.352) and sixth in 3-point field goals made (168, 6.22 pg).
Individually, the TexAnns are led by 5-6 junior guard LaTonia Gilbert and 5-3 freshman guard Katie Crawford.
Gilbert is tied for sixth in the LSC in assists (3.85 apg), and is ranked ninth in steals (1.74 spg). Gilbert is ranked fifth in assist/turnover ration (1.53). Gilbert nets 9.8 ppg.
Crawford is ranked third in the LSC in 3-point field goal percent (.440) and is ninth in 3-point field goals made (48, 1.78 pg). Crawford tallies 8.3 ppg.
Casey Davies, 5-7 sophomore guard leads the LSC in 3-point field goal percent (.443) and chips in with 8.8 ppg, but has a team-high 11.8 ppg in LSC South action.
Amanda Franklin, 5-10 sophomore forward, is ranked fourth in the LSC in field goal percentage (.540), averaging 8.8 ppg.
Lady Buffs-TexAnns Series History
WTAMU leads the all-time series, 16-2. The Lady Buffs won 14-straight from 1994-95 to 2000-01, before the TexAnns won both meetings in the 2001-02 season.
WTAMU has won the last two meetings, including last year's match-up, 68-57, on Dec. 30, 2002, at Stephenville, Texas, behind a game-high 20 points and 14 rebounds from Celeste Stevenson, as the Lady Buff defense forced 27 TSU turnovers. WTAMU won this year's regular-season meeting by a palindromic, 85-58, on Jan. 17 at the WTAMU Event Center.
Last Meeting vs. TSU:
The West Texas A&M University women's basketball team started the evening slower than usual but picked up the pace in the second half to take ahold of the game and the victory against the TexAnns of Tarleton State University, 85-58, Jan. 17, in a Lone Star Conference crossover contest at the WTAMU Event Center. This victory was the Lady Buffs' eighth-straight and 11th in their last 12 games.
The Lady Buffs had four players in double-figures, led by junior forward Celeste Stevenson's 25 points and one rebound short of a double-double with nine rebounds. Fellow junior forward Keisha Monroe came off the bench and recorded a double-double with 13 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. Junior guard Suni Jo Petty netted 14 points on 11-12 free throw shooting, while junior forward Vasha Adams posted 12 points.
The Lady Buffs are unbeaten at home this season at a perfect 6-0. WTAMU improves its record to 13-2.
WTAMU shot 46.4 percent (26-56) from the field, but were an uncharacteristic 3-14 (21.4 percent) from 3-point land. However, the Lady Buffs held a 46-36 rebounding advantage.
The WTAMU defense held TSU to 35.6 percent (21-59) shooting from the field, and forced 31 TexAnn turnovers.
The Lady Buffs held a 34-27 halftime lead, but opened the second half with a 12-2 run, capped by a layup from Stevenson at the 15:01 mark.
WTAMU held a double-digit lead, getting close looks at the basket, as the lead stretched to 73-49 on a layup from junior forward Tywanda Harris.
Monroe gave the Lady Buffs their largest lead of the game at 85-58 with 12 seconds remaining, before ArcTrena Stills hit a jumper at the buzzer for the final score.
Lady Buffs' Last Time Out:
SAN ANGELO, Texas - The West Texas A&M University women's basketball team was overtaken by Angelo State University early in the game and never recovered, as the 19th-ranked Lady Buffs were dropped by No. 17 ASU, 79-42, Saturday night at ASU's Junell Center at San Angelo, Texas.
WTAMU clinched the No. 1 seed in the Lone Star Conference South division in Thursday's win over Abilene Christian and Angelo State's victory over Eastern New Mexico. ASU had to win Saturday in order to claim the No. 3 seed, while ACU grabbed the No. 2 seed by knocking off ENMU, who went from tied for first to start the weekend, to fourth.
The Lady Buffs enter the postseason with a 23-4 overall and 11-3 LSC South record, while the Rambelles end the regular season with a 23-4 overall and 10-4 LSC South mark.
Senior guard Carlee Howard led WTAMU with 13 points, while junior forward Vasha Adams pulled down a game-high 10 points.
The Lady Buffs shot a paltry 15.7 percent (8-51) from the field, their worst outing of the season for both points and shooting percentage, in suffering their worst loss since a 99-61 stinging by Emporia State, on March 5, 1999 in the NCAA-II Regional Tournament.
ASU shot 27-54 (50.0 percent) from the field, and had three players in double-figures, led by Natalja Tsurbakova's 25 points, including the first eight points of the game. Sharon Ballenger added 19 points, including five 3-pointers, while Kelli Anne Goble chipped in with 11.
The game didn't start off very well for the Lady Buffs, as they went four minutes before getting on the scoreboard, as sophomore forward Keisha Monroe hit the second of two free throws at the 16:00 mark. However, by that time, ASU had bolted out off the gate for 10 points, the first eight by Tsurbakova. The Rambelles extended their lead to 18-1 with 13:48 to play.
Junior forward Celeste Stevenson hit WTAMU's first field goal at the 13:10 mark to make the score 18-3.
ASU opened a 32-8 lead with 6:03 remaining and the Lady Buffs' deficit remained over 20 for the rest of the half but was cut to 37-16 at the half on junior forward Vasha Adams' steal and half-court bank shot at the buzzer.
Adams, the LSC leader in steals, swiped five Saturday, giving her 88 for the season, a 3.3 steals per game average, which is fourth on WTAMU's single-season steals average list.
A trey from Howard made the score 40-19 50 seconds into the second half, but ASU erupted for a 21-2 run to take a 61-21 lead with 12:16 left in the game.
WTAMU never cut the margin to under 36 from there on out.
Lady Buffs' Next Action
If WTAMU win's Tuesday, then the Lady Buffs would host the semifinals and championship game of the LSC Tournament on Friday and Saturday.
Fans can catch the action on the Buffalo Sports Network on KGNC 710 AM and www.gobuffsgo.com.
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