The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
18-5, 6-3Big 12
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Kansas
13-9, 2-7Big 12
No. 13/14 Women's Basketball tops Kansas, 74-66
02.11.2009 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 11, 2009
Box Score 
|
Box Score |
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Brittainey Raven scored 16 points to lead No. 13 Texas to a 74-66 victory over Kansas on Wednesday night and a four-game win streak in the Big 12 for the first time since 2006.
The Longhorns jumped out to a quick lead against Kansas (13-9, 2-7) and built a solid 33-17 advantage with just over 3 minutes remaining in the half. Erika Arriaran helped pace Texas (18-5, 6-3) in the first half with key jumpers, and finished with 12 points. Ashleigh Fontenette added 14 points.
Kansas closed the gap in the second half when Nicollette Smith, who finished with 18 points and four rebounds, made a jumper to make it a four-point game at 49-45.
Arriaran was fouled on a 3-point attempt on Texas' next possession and made all three free throws. Kansas' LaChelda Jacobs converted a three-point play with a layup and a free throw on Kansas' next trip down the court to make it a four-point game.
After Jacobs closed the gap to 60-57 with a running jumper in the lane, the Jayhawks could get no closer as Earnesia Williams made a wide-open 3-pointer to help Texas ice the game.
POSTGAME NOTES
TEAM
- Texas won its fourth-straight Big 12 game and improved to 3-0 against Big 12 North teams...it's the first four-game Big 12 winning streak for UT since a four-game span in 2006 (Jan. 11-Jan. 22).
- Gail Goestenkors collected her 40th win at Texas and is now 40-19 with the Longhorns.
- Texas is now 12-7 all-time against Kansas, and has won two straight including eight of the last 10 contests.
- The Longhorns held the Jayhawks without a field goal from 16:43 to 9:02 in the first half, a span of 7 minutes and 41 seconds, while using a 13-2 run to build an 18-9 lead.
- Texas held a 39-25 advantage at the half, and is now 15-1 when leading at the midway point...UT has held at least a 14-point halftime lead in its last three games.
- UT shot 40 percent (6-of-15) from the 3-point range for the 12th time this season...the Longhorns are 11-1 when shooting 40 percent or better from beyond the arc.
- Three Longhorns scored in double figures for the third-straight game...UT is 13-1 when at least three players notch double digits.
- With their eight-point victory, the Longhorns are now 4-2 in games decided by 10 points or less.
Ashleigh Fontenette
- Scored 14 points (5-of-10 FG, 2-of-4 3FG, 2-of-5 FT) marking the fifth time this season she's posted double-digits.
- Second time in three games to reach double figures in the first half (had 16 in the first period against Oklahoma State, Feb. --Pulled down five rebounds to mark the ninth-straight game she's recorded at least two rebounds.
Brittainey Raven
- Tallied team-high 16 points (5-of-13 FG, 2-of-5 3FG, 4-of-5 FT) to reach double-figure scoring for the second time in three games.
- Scored double-digits for the 13th time this season and 56th time in 90 career games.
- Led Texas in scoring for the 11th time this season and 33rd time of her career.
Erika Arriaran
- Scored 12 points (3-of-6 FG, 1-of-3 3FG, 5-of-5 FT) for her second-straight double-digit scoring effort.
- 11th double-figure scoring output of the season and 38th in 66 career games played.
- Set a season high with five free throws made (previous: 2 vs. Texas Tech, Feb. 8)
Earnesia Williams
- Tied season high with a game-high eight rebounds (previous: 8 vs. UTEP, Dec. 28).
- Led the Horns in rebounding for the second-straight game...was the third time she's led the squad in rebounding this season and the seventh time of her career.
Ashley Lindsey
- Recorded team-high two blocks to mark the 20th straight game she has posted at least one block.
TEXAS QUOTES
HEAD COACH Gail Goestenkors
On what the team can improve on from tonight: We still need to work on our rebounding and we need to shore up our defense.
On why she sat her starting forwards in the second half: I was a little frustrated in the first half with both Ashley's shooting in the first half. Both were shooting outside shots and that's not what I want them to do or need them to do.
On Earnesia Williams: I'm so happy for Earnie. She works hard after practice. It's good to see her hard work paying off. She's one of our warriors.
FRESHMAN GUARD Ashleigh Fontenette
On what allowed her to be successful tonight: We've just been competing more with each other in practice. I think it's transferred over to the games. That's pretty much the biggest thing.
JUNIOR GUARD Brittainey Raven
On what allowed Kansas to make a second-half comeback: Kansas started to go on a run and make a few quick buckets.
On the team's second half defense: In the first half when we got our big lead we got a little comfortable, we weren't taking care of the ball and playing good defense. Any team can beat any team in this conference. We have to come out with the intensity against Baylor or Oklahoma.
JUNIOR GUARD Erika Arriaran
On what was different about the guard play tonight: We tried to do a lot more as far as playing more aggressive. Coach has stressed that with all our guards. I'm trying to be more aggressive and help my teammates by creating more passes.
KANSAS QUOTES
HEAD COACH BONNIE HENRICKSON
Opening statement: If it wasn't for our turnovers in the first half and a couple of missed offensive rebounds in the second half, I thought our team played really well. We did a good job of attacking the basket in the second half and creating opportunities on the offensive end.
SOPHOMORE FORWARD NICOLLETTE SMITH
On the Texas squad: They were very physical and athletic. All we've been talking about this week is neutralizing that by giving them shot fakes, and just getting them up in the air, so we can actually get over them. They're known for blocking shots and they're very long and lanky. In the first half, we had a problem with getting passes over the top and we had to make that adjustment going into the second half.
On Texas' size: On the inside, I thought we held our own against their smaller posts. I think in the first half, we had trouble getting over their taller posts.
On Kansas' offense: We have balanced scoring and that's what we need in the long run. We need everybody on the floor scoring and people coming off of the bench scoring as well.
