The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
2-0
Northwestern State
1-1
Women's Basketball cruises past Northwestern State, 112-53
11.16.2010 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2010
Box Score | 
| Box Score 
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Ashleigh Fontenette scored 23 points to lead No. 17 Texas to a 112-53 victory over Northwestern State on Tuesday night.
Chassidy Fussell and Kathleen Nash each had 21 points, and reserve Chelsea Bass added 18 for Texas (2-0) in the lopsided effort.
The Longhorns jumped out to an insurmountable 16-2 lead. Northwestern State (2-1) struggled to score against Texas' defense that had 18 steals, 12 blocks and forced 29 turnovers. Texas continued its sharp-shooting, making 36 of 67 shots from the floor, including 11 of 22 from 3-point range.
Kottia White had 12 points for Northwestern State and Trudy Armstead added nine.
TEXAS QUOTES
HEAD COACH Gail Goestenkors
Opening statement: I'm pleased with our overall effort. I thought we did a nice job really pushing tempo again, attacking the rim, we got to the free throw line and we were also able to kick the ball out and hit our open threes. Areas to improve on - I thought we need to shoot a better percentage from the free throw line and the turnovers. Once again we've got to do a better job than we did. Overall though, I was pleased with the effort. I thought we got a good really team effort on the boards. We talked about that. For us to be the team we want to be we've got to dominate on the board when we should. This was a game we should have dominated. It had to come from several people. I thought it was a great team effort on the boards. That really ignites our transition game.
On Ashleigh Fontenette's play: Well I've said I think [Ashleigh] is one of the best point guards in the country. I think she showed that. She's been really consistent with her play. She's a tremendous defensive player. She's also got a lot of confidence offensively now. I think last year was a learning year for her at that point position. Now she knows exactly what we need and when we need it. I think she's expanded her game. She's got a lot of confidence. She could always get to the basket really on anybody. This year as well, I think she feels just as comfortable taking a three-point shot. I think it's really expanded her game. It's made her better and it's certainly made us better.
JUNIOR GUARD Ashleigh Fontenette
On her play tonight: I think early I just looked to attack in transition and the defense started to collapse on me and I just found the open player. We were looking to share the ball and I think we did a great job of doing that.
FRESHMAN GUARD Chassidy Fussell
On her comfort level with the team: When you have leaders like we do, they pull me along with them and they drive us. It carries over into the game.
POST-GAME NOTES
TEAM
-UT's 62 points in the first half rank as the seventh-most in program history and the most since it scored 61 in the first half against New Mexico State on Dec. 28, 1991.
-Texas' 39-point halftime lead is tied for the eighth largest in program history (UTEP, Nov. 17, 1978).
-A 13-0 Texas run from 18:00-15:49 in the first half (span of 2:11) helped build a 62-23 advantage.
-The Longhorns held the Lady Demons scoreless for a stretch of 4 minutes, 25 seconds in the second half (15:41-11:16). -Texas held its largest lead of the game - 53 points - at the 11:37 mark in the second half after another 13-0 run.
-UT scored 100+ points for the 62nd time in its 37-year history and the first time this season... first 100+ game for the Longhorns since putting up 105 against Furman on Nov. 23, 2008.
-Texas' 112 points are its most since 135 vs. Centenary on Dec. 16, 2000.
-Seven Longhorns recorded at least five rebounds while all nine scored at least two points and recorded at least one rebound.
Chelsea Bass
-Scored career-high 18 points (3-of-6 FG, 2-of-4 3FG, 10-of-14 FT) while setting career highs in rebounds (six), steals (five), free-throws made (10) and field goals made (three).
Ashleigh Fontenette
- Registered 23 points (8-of-13 FG, 2-of-4 3FG, 5-of-6 FT) for her third 20+ scoring output in the last four games dating back to the 2009 season... has reached 20+ points eight times in her career.
- Totaled 16 points in the first half, with 10 coming over the first four minutes.
- Recorded her fourth-straight double-digit scoring effort dating back to March 19, 2010 vs. Texas A&M in the Big 12 Championship Quarterfinals and the 26th of her career.
Ashley Gayle
- Tallied five blocks for the second-straight game.
- Tied for the team-high with eight rebounds
Chassidy Fussell
- Recorded second-straight double-digit scoring effort of the season with career-high 21 points (7-of-10 FG, 2-of-4 3FG, 5-of-9 FT)...also added seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals.
- Posted her first 20+ scoring effort as a Longhorn.
Kat Nash
-Recorded 21 points (7-of-13 FG, 4-of-7 3FG, 3-of-3 FT) for her second-straight double-digit scoring effort and 55th of her career.
-Connected on 3-of-3 from the free throw line to remain perfect from the charity stripe this season after opening the year with an 8-of-8 performance on Nov. 12.
-Posted her first 20+ scoring effort of the season and 10th of her career.
-Tied for the team-high with eight rebounds.
