The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
2-1
North Texas
0-3
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Texas | 25 | 27 | 52 |
| Texas | 44 | 52 | 96 |
No. 10/13 Women's Basketball downs North Texas, 96-52
11.20.2009 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 20, 2009
Box Score 
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Kat Nash scored 20 points and No. 10 Texas shook off a loss to Connecticut by beating North Texas 96-52 on Friday night.
After losing 83-58 to the top-ranked Huskies three days earlier, the Longhorns (2-1) had this one under control midway through the first half. Ashley Gayle finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks. She also tried to dunk on a fast break in the second half but missed.
Six Texas players scored in double figures.
Freshman Cokie Reed scored six straight points and Gayle scored seven to push the Longhorns to a 30-16 lead midway through the first half. Nash made consecutive 3-pointers from the right corner and Texas took a 44-25 lead into halftime.
Jasmine Godbolt scored 11 points to lead North Texas (0-3).
The win was a much-needed confidence boost for Texas. The Longhorns are hoping to make a return to the nation's elite under third-year coach Gail Goestenkors and the loss to the Huskies showed that, despite their lofty ranking, they have yet to close the gap.
North Texas was no match for Texas' speed or size. The 6-foot-4 Gayle had little trouble posting up and Nash easily ran off defenders for open 3-pointers in the first half.
Texas hit its first four shots of the second half and Nash's third 3-pointer made it 55-30.
The Longhorns scored 39 points off 26 turnovers and shot 56 percent from the field. Nash was 7-of-10 shooting from the floor and made four 3-pointers.
Texas led by 34 in the second when Gayle tried to dunk on a fast break. She missed, rising just high enough to throw the ball over the rim and draw a giggle from Goestenkors.
Earlier in the day, former Texas All-American Edwina Brown was inducted into the school's Hall of Honor.
TEXAS QUOTES
Head Coach Gail Goestenkors
On the game overall: I thought we were due for a good shooting night. In the last two games, we haven't shot the ball well and I think we have good shooters on this team. Erica [Arriaran] was hitting early. Kat [Nash] was hitting early and then I felt like we picked up our defense, especially in the second half. We were pressuring them some more and they turned the ball over. That helped us get a couple easy buckets.
On the defense pressuring the ball: I thought it got better as the game went on. We started in a three-quarter court press into a two-three zone, so it served its purpose in that they were slowing down. But then I realized that we like to speed things up a little. Once we got out of that and we started pressuring it changed the momentum of the games and we got some easy buckets.
Sophomore Forward Ashley Gayle
On her attempted dunk: I've been waiting for that pass for a long time. I figured I might as well try it. I've tried dunking in pick-up games but not so much in practice because a missed lay-up equals sprints. But during a pick-up game if I get a fast break, I will definitely try for the shot.
On her confidence: I think my confidence has definitely improved since last year. Just putting in the extra work has really given me the confidence to go out and play harder especially on the defensive end. This is probably one of the best games I have played so far.
Junior Guard Kathleen Nash
On shooting in the first few games: We're so used to making our shots in practice, that it was weird for us that we weren't making them during games. It definitely helps when you have a game like this. A few people start making shots and then everybody does, which really picks up the momentum.
On defense spurring the offense: I think in the second half when we really picked up our defense, it really showed. We have so many fast people like Brittainey [Raven] and Ashleigh Fontenette on our team that it really helps us if we can get out of the passing lanes and get steals. It really transfers into good point for us thanks to those people.
NORTH TEXAS QUOTES
Head Coach Shanice Stephens
On the game overall: I think it was a combination of two things. I think that they were hungry. I think that is attributed to a really solid basketball team. They bounced back from their game earlier in the week, and did exactly what they were supposed to do. They needed to fight and find their footing once again. Also, we did not get hands in the faces of shooters. It was very important for us to cover up, and we were not disciplined tonight.
On team chemistry: I have eight new faces and three returners, and we are trying to get acclimated to a system. It is a slow, agonizing process, and it has really been daunting. We really have to work on our press offense and just composure. We have the offensive set to be able to break any type of press, but now we just have to have the composure and some leadership on the floor to get it done.
POST-GAME NOTES
TEAM
-Texas improved to 11-0 all-time against North Texas
-UT held its biggest halftime lead of the season, 44-25
-Gail Goestenkors improved to a perfect 10-0 in non-conference action against in-state opponents
-The Longhorns held the Mean Green to 52 points, 14.5 below their scoring average of 66.5
-Over the span of 4 minutes and 39 seconds in the second half (16:03-11:24), Texas used an 18-2 scoring run to build a 70-32 lead.
-The Longhorns shot 55.9 percent from the field for their first game with 50 percent or better shooting from the field since 50 percent (24-of-48 FG) against Missouri (Feb. 24, 2009).
-Texas scored 90 or more points for the first time since 91 at Oklahoma State (Feb. 5, 2009).
-Texas recorded a season-high 19 assists after posting 25 over its first two outings of the season.
-Six UT players notched double-digit scoring for the first time this season (Earnesia Williams, Kathleen Nash, Ashley Gayle, Brittainey Raven, Cokie Reed)
-All 10 players scored at least two points for the first time this season
Kathleen Nash
-Scored 20 points (7-of-10 FG, 4-of-4 3FG, 2-of-2 FT) for the 34th double-digit scoring effort of her career and the second of the season
-Scored 20 or more points for the second-straight game and for the seventh time of her career.
-Led the team in scoring for the second-straight game and for the 12th time of her career.
-Connected on four from beyond the arc, moving her career total to 102 ... is now good for eighth for most 3-pointers made all-time at Texas.
-Was perfect from 3-point range (4-of-4) for the third time of her career.
-Was perfect from the free throw line for the 16th time of her career and for the second-straight game.
-Seventh-straight game with five or more rebounds, carrying over from the 2008-09 season.
Ashley Gayle
-Posted her first career double-double with 12 points (4-of-9 FG, 4-of-5 FT) and a career-high 10 rebounds.
-Led the team in rebounding for the fourth time of her career and the second time this season.
-Tied career high with 12 points.
-Scored 10 or more points for the second time of her career.
-Tied career high of seven blocks to move her career total to 73...15th game of her career with two or more blocks.
-Eighth-straight game with at least one block, carrying over from 2008-09 season.
-Was one of six Longhorns to reach double-digits.
Earnesia Williams
-Posted season-high 10 points (5-of-7 FG) for her first double-digit scoring effort of the year.
-Scored 10 or more points for the 37th time of her career.
-Was one of six Longhorns to reach double-digits.
Brittainey Raven
-Recorded 14 points (4-of-9 FG, 2-of-2 3FG, 4-of-4 FT) for her third-straight double-digit outing this season and the eighth-straight carrying over from the 2008-09 season.
-Scored 10 or more points for the 66th time of her career.
-Has posted double-figure scoring for eight straight games, carrying over from the 2008-09 season.
-Went 4-of-4 of from the free throw line, extending her streak of made free throws to eight (made final two vs. UTSA, Nov. 13 and was 4-of-4 against No. 1 Connecticut).
-Was one of six Longhorns to reach double-digits.
Cokie Reed
-Recorded 10 points (5-of-8 FG) for the first double-digit scoring effort of her career as a Longhorn.
-Was one of six Longhorns to post double-digits.
Erika Arriaran
-Recorded 10 points (5-of-7 FG) for her first double-digit scoring effort of the season.
-First time to reach double figures since 12 against Oklahoma State (Feb. 18, 2009)
-Scored 10 or more points for the 41st time of her career
-Dished out season and team-high six assists, one shy of career-high...most since six against Texas Pan-American (Dec. 6, 2006)
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