The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Mcneese State
Jody Conradt earns 850th career win and Texas defeats McNeese State
12.01.2004 | Women's Basketball
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Tiffany Jackson scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and No. 7 Texas overwhelmed McNeese State 80-26 Wednesday night to give coach Jody Conradt her 850th career win.
Heather Schreiber broke out of a shooting slump with 13 points for the Longhorns (3-2). Samika Stewart had 10 points to lead McNeese State (1-5), which scored just 13 points in each half and shot 17 percent for the game.
Jackson nearly had a double-double by halftime with 11 points and eight rebounds as the Longhorns built a 41-13 lead.
Despite the big final margin, it took a little while for the game to get out of hand.
Texas got off to a sluggish start in its first outing since Sunday's 63-60 loss at UCLA, the second road game in which Texas squandered a big early lead.
Conradt mixed and matched her lineup through the first half and the Longhorns looked generally out of sync early. A rash of turnovers and sloppy play kept Texas from breaking it open right away and the Longhorns led 12-4 after the first eight minutes.
But McNeese State could not take advantage of Texas' early misses. The Cowgirls were just 6-of-36 from the floor in the first half.
Texas finally heated up when Schreiber scored seven straight points and Jackson converted two quick layups to stretch the Longhorns' lead to 29-11. The Cowgirls managed just four points over the final six minutes of the half.
Schreiber, who missed all of her eight shots against UCLA, missed her first two shots against McNeese State before finally breaking the slump with a pair of free throws, a layup and a 3-pointer.
Most of Texas' regular starters played only a few minutes of the second half as the Longhorns' lead quickly bulged over 30.
POSTGAME NOTES
- The win was the 39th homecourt win in a row for Texas ... That 39-game homecourt win streak is the longest in the nation of any NCAA Division I men's or women's basketball program
- The 13 points scored by McNeese State in both the first and second halves are tied for the sixth lowest opponent point total in a half in UT history (lowest was nine points twice)
- Those 13 points by McNeese State ties for the SECOND lowest point total ever in the SECOND HALF of a game against the Longhorns
- Tiffany Jackson registered her fifth consecutive double-figure scoring game of the year ... She is the only Longhorn to score in double figures all five games
- On the year, Jackson has now connected on 40 of 58 field goals attempted, hitting at a 69.0 percent clip from the floor
- With game-highs of 15 points and 12 rebounds, Jackson also recorded her second straight double-double (double-figure points and rebounds) - her second of the season and her ninth career double-double ... This is the third time in her career that Jackson has recorded back-to-back double-doubles (twice last year)
- Career and single season highs in points were collected by the following Longhorns - all of these were the first points of the year for this trio: sophomore P Kalee Carey (12 points); redshirt freshman F Katrina Robinson (9 points); Daria Mieloszynska (3 points)
- Texas out-scored McNeese State 48-10 in points in the paint and dominated in points off turnovers (24 to 2)
POSTGAME QUOTES
McNeese State Head Coach Carol Sensley
"I thought we took a lot of quick shots which is not something we teach in our offense. We pulled the trigger too much and too early throughtout the game, even though I think we did out-shoot them [McNeese took 66 shots to UT's 59). Texas is a very quality basketball team and in their presence we got flustered and we rushed everything. Our composure wasn't anywhere where we needed it to be going against an opponent like Texas."
Texas Head Coach Jody Conradt
On the game in general...
"I would have been disappointed if we didn't show the energy and focus that we did tonight, coming off the loss at UCLA. I think we are beginning to develop some chemistry, and that is a work in progress with this team. Tonight's starting lineup was an indication of that chemisty; I felt that these players have performed well together at times, and wanted to put them out there to start the game.
We played with a bit of a hangover tonight in the opening minutes, probably because of the UCLA game, but then we got going. We got a chance to play people who haven't had a chance to get on the court much, and I must say, I was pretty impressed. We need to utilize what our reserve players can give us in order to be a better team."
Talking about the Texas reserves and their playing time against McNeese State....
"(Freshman guard) Erneisha Bailey, (freshman forward) Katrina Robinson and (sophomore forward) Kalee Carey got positive minutes for us tonight. is going to be important for us and it was good to get her quality minutes tonight. We are going to need her this year, especially with Coco Reed being hampered with some residual effects of her left knee surgery from a few years ago. Kalee has been working hard in practice, and she gives us an element of size that we don't have. Kalee rebounding well, and we'll need to get her into the rotation, especially to counter the size of some teams we'll be facing later.
Daria (junior transfer forward Daria Mieloszynska) played with a lot of energy tonight. She really impressed me. As a coach, you can always find a way to bring someone off the bench who provides lots of energy. I liked that about her tonight."
On winning the 850th game of her collegiate career ....
"Well, I wasn't aware of that number. Right now, I am looking for win number 851, and that won't be easy going against New Mexico (on Saturday, Dec. 5, 3 p.m. Central at New Mexico). They are a solid team who really handed it to us two years ago when we went out there to play at "The Pit". I believe they have the best fan support of any team I've ever coached against. If there is a harder place to play than "The Pit", then I haven't been there. Their fans create a tough and loud atmosphere. Saturday will be a situation where we can redeem ourselves on the road. We've got to play better on the road, especially considering how difficult life on the road is in the Big 12."
Talking about her contract extension which was reported in the media to be pending - an extension which would be guaranteed through 2009 ...
"The whole subject of contracts really comes down to recruiting. When you are talking to potential recruits and their families, one of the questions always asked is about your contract and longevity; really, this is the only time it is asked or talked about. A recruit wants to know how long a coach is going to be at that school. At this point of my career, a contract renewal or extension is all about recruiting. Recruits want a definite answer. My answer is always that I have the best job in the world, and I have a great time doing it."
Texas Senior F Heather Schreiber
On bouncing back from her 3-point game vs. UCLA where she did not connect on a field goal to scoring 13 points on 4-7 shooting from the field and a 4-4 effort in free throws...
"You know, I really didn't have any time to get down on myself or be discouraged since the UCLA game. As a team, we were all frustrated by the way we played, but right after the game and throughout practices this week, my teammates and coaches have been telling me to keep shooting the ball, keep shooting the ball. I've not had a chance to get down on myself with everyone talking so positive to me. Tonight, I just went out and focused more and was able to connect."
