The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
7-4
Central Michigan
6-6
No. 20/21 Women's Basketball drops 73-65 decision to Central Michigan at Maggie Dixon Surf `n Slam Classic
12.30.2012 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 30, 2012
Box Score 
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Final Stats |
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SAN DIEGO, Calif. - No. 20/21 Women's Basketball fell to the Central Michigan Chippewas, 73-65, in the consolation match of the Maggie Dixon Surf `n Slam Classic on Sunday afternoon at Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Freshman Imani McGee-Stafford recorded an 18-point, 16-rebound double-double, the fifth of her young Longhorn career, but Texas was unable to overcome 24 turnovers and 23team fouls despite out-shooting and out-rebounding the Chippewas in the game.
Both teams struggled to get into a flow early and traded turnovers in the opening minutes. Texas built an eight-point lead by the halfway mark of the first half before Central Michigan went on a 15-0 run to pull ahead and take a seven-point advantage into halftime.
Texas cut the lead to four early in the second half before the Chippewas built itback up to as many as 14 with 11 minutes to play. The Longhorns would get no closer than seven until the final minute of the game when they again cut it to four on the backs of two three-pointers from Chassidy Fussell and one from Celina Rodrigo. The comeback fell short as Central Michigan found success at the free throw line and forced a final Longhorn turnover in the closing seconds.
Fussell finished with 17 points while Nneka Enemkpali and Empress Davenport each added eight.
Niki DiGiulio led the Chippewas with 21 points, all five of her made field goalscoming from behind the arc. Jessica Schroll added 14, and both DiGiulio and Schroll were 6-7 from the line.
The Longhorns will travel to Iowa State on Wednesday, Jan. 2 to kick off the Big 12 Conference season in a 7 p.m. game before returning home for the Big 12 home opener against Oklahoma on Jan. 5.
