The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
18-11, 7-8
Texas Tech
20-9, 7-8
Women's Basketball tops Texas Tech, 83-59
03.02.2011 | Women's Basketball
March 2, 2011
Box Score |
| Box Score 
Notes | Quotes
AUSTIN, Texas - Chassidy Fussell scored a game-high 23 points to lead four Longhorns in double-digit scoring, as the Texas Women's Basketball team defeated Texas Tech 83-59 on Wednesday night at the Frank Erwin Center.
With the win, Texas improves to 17-11 overall and 7-8 in conference play, while Tech falls to 20-9 overall and 7-8 in the Big 12.
UT shot 55 percent from the field - the Longhorns' best mark this season. Yvonne Anderson scored 19 points, her third-straight game in double-digit scoring. Ashley Gayle added 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Ashleigh Fontenette scored 12 on 6-of-9 shooting.
After Tech shot 52 percent in the first half, the UT defense, also sparked by Fussell, held the Red Raiders to 42 percent shooting from the field in the second half.
After hitting two free throws to break a 45-45 tie, Fussell then stole the in-bounds pass, which set up a Kristen Nash jumper that put UT out front 49-45. UT then scored nine unanswered points to extend the lead to 58-45 with 11:51 to play.
Fussell had her first double-digit scoring game since she posted 17 against OU on Feb. 19. Her 23 points are the most she has scored since her 25-point effort against Kansas on Feb. 2.
Gayle had three blocks against Tech to break her own single-season block record. She now has 104 on the season. She set the previous record last year with 103.
Teena Wickett led the Red Raiders in scoring with 14 points.
The Longhorns will travel to Stillwater, Okla., to play their final regular-season game against the Oklahoma State Cowgirls this Saturday, March 5, at 7 p.m.
TEAM
-The Longhorns posted their biggest margin of victory (24 points) since a 44-point win over Sam Houston State (Jan. 2)
-The win marked Texas' 15th victory this season by a double-digit margin ... UT's last five victories have all been by at least 10 points.
-Texas swept Texas Tech in Big 12 Conference regular season games for the second-consecutive year.
-The Longhorns connected on eight 3-point baskets to increase their season total to 205 for the second-most in school single-season history.
-Texas shot a season-high 54.9 percent (28-of-51) from the field
-Texas shot a season-high 86.4 percent (19-of-22) from the free throw line.
-Texas had four players (Gayle, Anderson, Fussell, Fontenette) reach double-digit scoring for the first time since they played at Texas Tech (Jan. 26)
Chassidy Fussell
-Reached double-figure scoring for the 25th time this season with team-high 23 points (7-of-15 FG, 4-of-6 3FG, 5-of-6 FT)
-Scored 20 or more points for the 13th time this season and for the first time since a five-game stretch of 20+ scoring efforts from Jan. 19-Feb. 5
-Now has 476 total points, moving her into fifth place on Texas' freshman scoring list ... passed Tiffany Jackson (455, 03-04) and Clarissa Davis (459, 85-86).
-Led the Longhorns in scoring for the 13th time this season
-Made three from beyond the arc to move her season total to 58, good for ninth all-time in Texas' single-season record book.
Yvonne Anderson
-Scored 19 points (5-of-9 FG, 2-of-2 3FG, 7-of-7 FT) for her 18th double-digit scoring effort of the season and 24th of her career
-Has reached double figures for the last three games
-Tied career-high with seven made from the free throw line
-Was perfect from the free throw line for the sixth time this season
Ashleigh Fontenette
-Scored 12 points (6-of-9 FG) for her third-straight double-digit scoring effort
-Scored 10 or more points for the 19th time this season and the 43rd time of her career
Ashley Gayle
-Posted her sixth double-double of the season with 14 points (4-of-5 FG, 6-of-6 FT) and team-high 12 rebounds
-Reached double-digits in scoring for the first time since scoring 14 at Texas Tech (Jan. 26)
-Scored 10 or more points for the eighth time this season and the 14th time of her career
-Posted three blocks to move her season total to 104, setting the Texas single-season record... Gayle owned the previous record after posting 103 during her sophomore campaign (2009-10)
-Led the Longhorns in rebounding for the eighth time this season and the 19th time of her career
-Tied her career high with six made from the free throw line
-Was perfect from the free throw line for second time this season
-First double-double since posting 10 points and 11 rebounds against Sam Houston State (Jan. 2)
TEXAS QUOTES
Head coach Gail Goestenkors
Opening Statement: I'm thankful for second halves. I thought our second-half effort was really good, especially in getting on the boards and getting to the free throw line. I told the guards in the first half that they were going east-west instead of north-south attacking the basket. We are at our best when we have that attack mindset. We have to rebound, we have to run, we have to attack. I thought in the second-half, we played really some of our best basketball during that stretch, I think it was a 13-0 run where we just pushed the ball, and I thought our defense was really good and aggressive as well. I'm happy to come out with a win. Now we catch our breath and head to Oklahoma State, so it is a great win but we still have more work to do.
On if this is the best team offensive performance in Big 12 play: It's the best in a long time. I don't know that we have shot 54% this year. So, I guess it is.
Junior guard Yvonne Anderson
On how it feels to win this game: It definitely feels good. We were all excited to play this game, and send out seniors off with a win. We have been practicing well and hard, and it transferred to the game. it took us a while to get the motor going, but once we did, there was no way to stop us.
Freshman guard Chassidy Fussell
On getting out of the shooting slump: I guess everybody has good and bad games. And I just had two bad games, but I put it in my teammates hands to bring my game up, and they did tonight.
TEXAS TECH QUOTES
Head Coach Kristy Currie
On the changes made in the second half: We gave up a couple of baskets in transition. You know we missed a couple of easy ones inside and we couldn't get them to finish. You know whenever they are able to finish and you're not. You can't go counter stop with a missed basket on your end. It kind of seemed to be another one of those cold fronts. I'm saying that being honest offensively. Just again we just weren't able to make some easy baskets. Obviously we are going to have to put this behind us very quickly. We're excited to go home and have senior day for Tina and you know certainly Texas responded. Kat Nash and Kristen are incredible ambassadors for this league and Texas. I have enjoyed watching them play.
Sophomore guard Monique Smalls
On the difference in the second half: I like to say that Texas gave more at the second half. They came at us hard and we didn't give that in return. We did at times but we missed our shots.
