The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
8-3
South Florida
9-5
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Florida | 36 | 29 | 65 |
| Texas | 34 | 49 | 83 |
Women's Basketball claims BTI Classic Championship with 83-65 win over USF
12.20.2010 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 20, 2010
Box Score
| Box Score 
LAS VEGAS -- Led by 11 second-half points from junior guard Ashleigh Fontenette, the University of Texas Women's Basketball team overcame USF to win the championship game of the BTI Classic, 83-65. Fontenette earned tournament MVP honors for her efforts as the Longhorns (8-3) overcame the Bulls (9-5) in the final 10 minutes of the game.
Texas beat in-state rival SMU 91-73 on Dec. 18 in the first game of the three-day series before defeating host UNLV, 85-59, yesterday.
USF jumped out to a 9-4 lead before junior guard Yvonne Anderson hit her first three-point basket of the game and senior guard Kathleen Nash followed with a layup for a 5-0 Texas run. The Bulls pulled back ahead by five points to 16-11 when freshman guard Chelsea Bass connected from long range to bring the Longhorns within two at 16-14. The teams traded baskets and Nash gave UT its first lead of the game, 19-18, with a three-pointer of her own. UT's three-point lead at 25-22 with 5:15 left was its largest of the half, and it remained within one point of USF until senior center Porsche Grant hit her first-career three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Bulls a 36-34 halftime advantage.
USF continued to lead until midway through the second half when freshman guard Tiffany Moore came off the bench and pulled Texas within one, 56-55, on a short jumper. Fontenette followed with a fast-break layup to give the Longhorns their first lead of the half, 57-56. On the following possession, Moore made a steal and Fontenette drew the foul on a missed layup. Fontenette missed her first free throw shot but made the second for a 58-56 Texas lead. Up 61-60, UT closed the game with a 20-5 run en route to the win.
Fontenette led five Texas players in double-figure scoring with 13 points (6-of-12 FG, 1-of-4 FT). Nash led the Longhorns with 16 points (4-of-9 FG, 2-of-4 3FG, 6-of-6 FT) and pulled down eight rebounds. Junior post Ashley Gayle collected her fourth double-double effort of the season with 14 points (5-of-12 FG, 4-of-8 FT) and 14 boards and dished out a season-high five assists. Anderson added 15 points (4-of-9 FG, 1-of-3 3FG, 6-of-6 FT) and freshman guard Chassidy Fussell chipped in 10 points (3-of-7 FG, 1-of-2 3FG, 3-of-4 FT).
USF's Andrea Smith scored a game-high 17 points (5-of-15 FG, 3-of-6 3FG, 4-of-9 FT). Her twin sister, Andrell, added 15 points (6-of-15 FG, 2-of-6 3FG, 1-of-2 FT).
Texas shot 50.9 percent (27-53) from the field, including a 62.5-percent mark (15-24) in the second half. USF shot 37.9 percent (25-66). UT won the battle of the boards 41-37.
The Longhorns return to action on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at the Maggie Dixon Surf 'n Slam Classic in San Diego, Calif. Competing in the 'Torero' Division of the tournament, Texas is slated to play Cincinnati at 7 p.m. Central before taking on either Hofstra or host San Diego on Thursday, Dec. 30.
