The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
1-0
Mississippi Valley State
0-1
No. 17 Women's Basketball turns away Mississippi Valley State, 92-60
11.12.2010 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 12, 2010
Final Stats
| Final Stats 
|
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Ashleigh Fontenette scored 20 points and Kathleen Nash added 19, leading No. 17 Texas to a 92-60 victory over Mississippi Valley State in their season opener Friday night.
Yvonne Anderson had 18 points for the Longhorns, who put five players in double figures. Chassidy Fussell scored 12 and Anne Marie Hartung 10.
Texas made nine of its first 11 shots from the field and six of its first seven 3-pointers to open a 23-3 lead. Mississippi Valley State struggled to find any offensive rhythm, as the Longhorns finished with 15 steals and eight blocks while forcing 26 turnovers.
De'Kisha Fondon had 21 points for Mississippi Valley State and Olivia Kennedy added 19.
Texas led 50-31 at halftime.
TEXAS QUOTES
HEAD COACH Gail Goestenkors
Opening statement: I think for our first game, overall I was pleased. Obviously we had too many turnovers, and we allowed too many wide open 3-pointers, so those are things that we can deal with and we will learn from and get better. I thought the energy was good. I thought the way we started both halves was very good, pushing the ball, pushing tempo, hitting the open player, hitting the open shot. I was pleased with the way we started both halves, but we need some work with how we finish both halves.
On the play off the bench: I think there are two things. One, I think the bench has to feel like they are starting. We have to have our bench play well, so whoever is in the game has to play with the same focus and same intensity as our starters. I think the other thing that happened though was that we had such a big lead when they did go in that I think they were not as focused as they need to be. I think there is a little letdown when you have a big lead, so I think it was a bad combination.
SENIOR GUARD Kathleen Nash
On the team's success behind the 3-point line: I think we always expect to make our threes. We practice a lot and do a lot of extra shooting before and after practice. Also, Yvonne [Anderson] came out making hers and it just kind of became contagious with everyone. We're glad to make them.
JUNIOR GUARD Yvonne Anderson
On her leadership role on the team: This year, I definitely had to take a larger leadership role. I'm one of the returners, I'm one of the upperclassmen, so that's kind of my role to come in there and calm everything down and get everyone back on the page they are supposed to be. A lot of freshmen come in a little wild and the upperclassmen can come in and say, "Calm down, we have this, just execute and do what we know how to do."
POSTGAME NOTES
-Texas improved to 28-9 all-time in season openers, 34-3 in home openers and 417-75 all-time in the Frank Erwin Center.
-Texas used an 18-0 run that spanned from 18:29 to 15:07, a span of 3:40, in the first half to build its largest first-half lead of 26 points ... also opened the second half with a 19-3 run.
-The Longhorns' first lineup of the season included Ashleigh Fontenette, Yvonne Anderson, Chassidy Fussell, Kathleen Nash and Ashley Gayle ... it was Fussell's first career start ... Nash has now started 38 consecutive games.
Yvonne Anderson
-Notched a career-high 18 points and tied her career high of three made 3FG while seeing action in a career-high 26 minutes.
Ashleigh Fontenette
-Led UT in scoring for the 10th time of her career with 20 points.
Chassidy Fussell
-Registered 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists in her Texas debut.
Ashley Gayle
-Recorded a game-high 11 rebounds for her seventh career double-figure rebounding game ... has also led UT in rebounding seven times.
Anne Marie Hartung
-Recorded 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks in her Texas debut.
Kathleen Nash
-Recorded her first double-double of the season and ninth of her career with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
-Led UT from the charity stripe with a perfect 8-of-8 mark.
