The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Central Connecticut
No. 15/21 Women's Basketball downs Central Connecticut State, 94-58
11.24.2012 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 24, 2012
Box Score | Box Score 
AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Women's Basketball team defeated the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils, 94-58, in their first ever meeting on Saturday night at the Frank Erwin Center.
Nneka Enemkpali recorded her fourth straight double-double with 21 total points and 10 rebounds. She is the first player since Tiffany Jackson in 2006 to accomplish the four-consecutive feat.
The Longhorns were anchored by steady defense in the paint. Freshman Imani McGee-Stafford swatted a season-high nine blocks, the most for a Longhorn since Ashley Gayle recorded 10 against Cincinnati on Dec. 28, 2010.
Texas started fast, quickly building a double-figure lead by the first media timeout, outscoring CCSU 32-4 in the paint. UT took a 51-25 lead into the locker room, led by Chassidy Fussell's 12 first-half points and Enemkpali's 11. The Longhorn's 51 first-half points were the most in the opening stanza since putting up 51 against UT-Pan American on Dec. 8, 2010.
UT continued to roll in the second half, shooting 64 percent from the field while keeping CCSU to 34 percent. Texas used five second-half 3-pointers and six of McGee-Stafford's nine blocks to limit the Blue Devils on both the offensive and defensive ends.
The Longhorns finished the game with 47 rebounds, led by Anne Marie Hartung's season-high 11. UT has outrebounded its first four opponents of the season 211-134.
Fussell led Texas in scoring with 22 points. McGee-Stafford and Cokie Reed also posted double-figures for the Longhorns with 13 and 11, respectively.
Jaclyn Babe led the Blue Devils with 15 points, while Lauren Arbogast and Jessica Babe each chipped in 10.
Texas faces Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at the Frank Erwin Center on Friday, Nov. 30. Tip off is set for 11 a.m. Central.
POSTGAME NOTES
TEAM NOTES
-Tonight's game marked the first ever meeting between Texas and Central Connecticut State and was the Longhorns' first contest against a Northeast Conference opponent in program history.
-UT is 4-0 to begin the season for the first time since 2010, and for the third time in the last six seasons.
-Texas is now 443-84 all-time at the Frank Erwin Center.
-The Longhorns' 51 first-half points were their most in the opening stanza since putting up 51 against UTPA (Dec. 8, 2010) ... the most UT scored in the first half last season was 49 (vs. Delaware State, Dec. 28, 2011).
-Texas shot 53.5 percent (38-of-71) from the field to CCSU's 33.3 percent (22-of-66).
-UT has outrebounded its first four opponents 211-134.
-The Longhorns dominated the Blue Devils in the paint (42-12) and on the fast break (18-2).
-Texas eclipsed the 90-point mark in scoring for the first time since Dec. 20, 2011 (vs. Grambling State).
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Chassidy Fussell
-Led Texas in scoring (22 points) for the first time this season ... has posted double figure scoring in each of Texas' first four games and 58 times in her career.
-Recorded a season-highs four steals and matched her season high in 3-point field goals made (four)
Nneka Enemkpali
-Posted her fourth-straight double-double (21 points, 10 rebounds), the first to accomplish four consecutive since Tiffany Jackson in 2006.
-Sank a career-high two 3-point field goals
Imani McGee-Stafford
-Swatted a season-high nine blocks, the most for a Longhorn since Ashley Gayle recorded 10 against Cincinnati on Dec. 28, 2010.
-Recorded double-figures in scoring (13 points) for the second straight game.
Ashley Roberts
-Scored her first points in a Longhorn uniform, a pair of free throws at the 16:56 mark of the first half, and finished the game with seven.
-Dished a season-high four assists.
Cokie Reed
-Posted 12 points, reaching double figures for the third time this season and 22nd time in her career.
Anne Marie Hartung
-Led UT in rebounding, tallying a season-high 11 rebounds.
Brady Sanders
-Scored a season-high nine points (4-of-4 FG, 1-of-1 3FG) and distributed a season-high four assists.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Head Coach Karen Aston
Opening Statement: I thought our energy level in the first half was terrific. We talk a lot as a team about getting out of the gates quick and setting a tone at the beginning of the game. In particular our starting lineup is really beginning to understand what the first four minutes of the game are like. I thought really the biggest difference in maybe the way that we've played all year long and the first half in particular was the play of our bench. I thought it was terrific and it got a little sloppy in the second half, but really pleased with the effort.
On keeping the team focused after a fast start: I think we've had a couple of games where we've gotten out in the first four minutes (to a really fast start) because I do think that this team is really buying in to that. And then the bench has come in, we've subbed and we've had a letdown. I wouldn't say that we've had as complete of a twenty-minute half as the first half was (tonight). I thought everybody that went in the game gave us good energy. I thought we stayed focused on the game plan. We didn't have careless turnovers. And then the second half was what was hard to keep them focused on certain aspects of the game, but I thought the first half they stayed in tune pretty well.
Junior G Chassidy Fussell
On the differences this year compared to four games into last season: Just the inside out game makes it so much easier on the guards and the posts really, because if they double the post they're going to kick it back out and if they double the guards we're going to throw it in. So just the inside-out game is working best for us.
Sophomore F Nneka Enemkpali
On if she thinks about her current streak of consecutive double doubles before games: Absolutely not. I just go out there and play each game like it's a new game. I go out there and have fun with my teammates. I don't really think about the past. Just move forward with each game.
Freshman C Imani McGee-Stafford
On her performance: Coach told me in practice, because I was struggling with post defense, "When in doubt just go get the ball." I missed a couple today and I bailed myself out by getting the ball.
