The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
5-317-5/ Big 12
Texas Tech
3-513-9/ Big 12
No. 16/18 Women's Basketball tops Texas Tech, 77-46
02.08.2009 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 8, 2009
Box Score | Box Score 
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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Earnesia Williams scored 16 points to help No. 16 Texas rout Texas Tech 77-46 on Sunday for the Longhorns' third straight Big 12 win.
Texas avenged a 65-62 loss at Tech on Jan. 10.
Erika Arriaran scored 11 points and Kathleen Nash added 10 for Texas (17-5, 5-3).
Texas outscored Texas Tech 29-9 over the final 8:39 of the first half to take control of the game. The teams were tied at 16 when Tech senior Dominic Seals went to the bench with her second foul. The Longhorns went on an 11-0 run over 2:33 with Seals out.
She returned, but quickly picked up her third foul and the Longhorns outscored Tech 18-9 to take a 45-25 halftime lead.
Tech staged a 9-0 run to open the second half, but Texas answered with a 16-2 run that put the game away.
Mari Moore led Tech (13-9, 3-5) with 15 points.
POSTGAME NOTES
TEAM
- Texas improved to 56-25 all-time against Texas Tech and 26-6 when playing in Austin.
- Texas played in front of its second-largest home crowd of the season (6,752).
- The 31-point win was the Longhorns biggest margin of victory over the Lady Raiders since a 35-point margin on Jan. 2, 1990 in Austin.
- The win was also the Longhorns biggest margin of victory in Big 12 Conference play since a 43-point win over Colorado on Feb. 23, 2005 (83-40).
- The Longhorns outrebounded their opponent 41-33...Texas is 13-2 when outrebounding its opponent.
- Texas held its opponents' bench to single-digits for the eighth time this season.
- Texas shot 70 percent or better from the free-throw line for the 15th time this season (20-of-27).
- Texas used a 16-2 run that spanned from 15:46 to 8:18 in the second half, a total of 7 minutes and 28 seconds, to build a 25-point lead (61-36).
Earnesia Williams
- Scored a season-high 16 points (6-of-8 FG, 4-of-4 FT)... reached double-digits for the first time since she had 12 against Lamar (Jan. 3).
- Seventh double-digit scoring effort of the season and 34th of her career.
- Led the Horns in scoring for the second time this season and ninth time of her career.
- Her six field goals made are a season-high.
- Pulled down seven boards to co-lead the team in rebounding for the second time this season and sixth time of her career.
Carla Cortijo
- Dished out a game-high five assists to give her 454 career assists, good for fifth place in the UT record book.
Kathleen Nash
- Registered 10 points (2-of-7 FG, 6-of-7 FT) for her seventh double-digit scoring effort in eight games.
- Scored in double-figures for the 17th time this season and 28th time of her career.
- Co-led the Horns in rebounding with seven for the 10th time this season and 22nd time of her career.
Erika Arriaran
- Scored 11 points (4-of-10 FG, 1-of-4 3FG, 2-of-2 FT) for her highest scoring output since Jan. 17 at Colorado (11 points)...also dished out a season-high tying four assists.
TEXAS QUOTES
HEAD COACH Gail Goestenkors
Opening statement: I'm just really proud of the team. We came out focused and ready to play on both ends of the court. We didn't let up. We had a few short droughts. I'm really proud of my bench and the seniors. We've been waiting for Earnesia [Williams] to have to have a game like this because she's been working so hard every single day in practice. You always want someone who works hard to be rewarded. She's continued to stay positive, work hard and today it paid off for her and for us. The same thing goes for Erika [Arriaran]. They're both winners and they want what's best for this team.
On their last game against Texas Tech: It wasn't the way we wanted that game to end. We wanted to redeem ourselves and we were determined to win this game.
On the performance of the underclassmen: We've told our freshmen that they're not freshmen anymore. We've said that for a long time. They don't play like freshmen. They have a lot of poise and they give us great energy whether they're starting or coming off the bench. Everyone else on the team has given them a lot of confidence that they can compete at the highest level.
JUNIOR GUARD Erika Arriaran
On the today's game: When we have energy and we have that high intensity, we're a great team and that's what we showed today.
SOPHOMORE GUARD Kathleen Nash
On rebounding: Rebounding is a huge emphasis for us during practice. We're always doing rebounding drills. Coach always says whoever dominates the board will usually win the game so that's what we tried to do today.
On the team's points tonight: By looking at the stat sheet, it's pretty even across and that's the good thing about our team. Any night one of our players can come out and score a lot. We're just very productive all across.
SENIOR FORWARD Earnesia Williams
On today's game:I had a lot of energy and I knew my team needed me. This was a game we really needed to win. Because of the game in Lubbock, we felt that we didn't play like Texas and it was important to get that redemption and play like Texas should have played.
TEXAS TECH QUOTES
HEAD COACH KRISTY CURRY
On today's game: I think the biggest thing is that you just have to give Texas credit for today. Their energy and their work ethic were at a very high level and we weren't able to match that. You have to give Texas credit on a day like today.
On the biggest difference between their first matchup and today: I think more than anything, I would focus on what the Tech team did. It's hard for me to sit down and think about Texas when you're coaching Texas Tech. I thought our energy level and work ethic was the biggest difference, and that's what folks from Lubbock are normally about. The energy and work ethic wasn't acceptable today.
On the first half: I think the biggest thing was that we didn't do a very good job on the perimeter. Maria Moore had seven turnovers, but it often starts with our two and three on the court. We didn't flow into things very well and we didn't get very many touches inside. Give Coach G and Texas credit today.
JUNIOR GUARD JORDAN MURPHREE
On the Texas offense: I think you have to look at what we didn't do. They were cutting on us and we were letting them cut backdoor and we weren't playing help-side defense to be there. I think that was mainly what we did wrong.
SENIOR FORWARD DOMINIC SEALS
On her foul trouble today: I just tried to come out and play and do what I have to do, but at the same time, I have to think and be smart and play good defense.
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