The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
8-3
Northwestern State
5-5
Women's Basketball downs Northwestern State, 90-60
12.20.2013 | Women's Basketball
Freshman Nekia Jones hits four three-pointers en route to a season-high 15 points
Box Score (PDF) | Photo Gallery | Notes | Quotes
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Women's Basketball used a 53.6 shooting percentage and a plus-30 rebounding margin to defeat Northwestern State, 90-60, on Friday evening at the Frank Erwin Center.
Junior forward Nneka Enemkpali led Texas (8-3) in scoring for the sixth time this season, totaling 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting in 28 minutes while adding a game-high seven rebounds. The Longhorns spread the wealth as 11 different players scored against the Lady Demons.
Sophomore center Imani McGee-Stafford (10), freshman forward Nekia Jones (15) and senior Chassidy Fussell (10) joined Enemkpali with double-figure points. Jones finished with a season-high 15 points on 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point range in just 11 minutes.
In the first half, Northwestern State (5-5) led by as much as seven before Texas broke away with a 19-1 run, which included seven points from Fussell. Texas scored at will while establishing down-low presence with an 11-to-2 rebounding advantage during the run.
UT finished with a 44-to-14 rebounding lead.
Texas shot 53.8 percent from the field and 4-of-7 from long range in the first half to give the Longhorns the 48-29 lead at halftime. Enemkpali was an efficient 4-of-5 from the field with 10 first-half points.
The Longhorns stayed hot in the second half, shooting 53.3 percent from the field to ensure its third game with a total shooting performance over 50 percent (53.6, 37-69 FG).
The Longhorns made a season-high 10 three pointers on 55.6 percent shooting beyond the arc. Jones made all four of her 3-pointers in the second half. Freshman guard Brianna Taylor also came alive in the second half, finishing with eight points and three steals, both season highs.
Texas out-scored Northwestern State 50-to-14 in the paint and 30-to-5 in second-chance points.
Northwestern State guard Janelle Perez led her team with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-6 from long range.
Texas plays its last non-conference game of the regular season against Idaho next Saturday, Dec. 28 in Austin (2 p.m. Central, Longhorn Network).
• Series: Sunday's game marked the second meeting in program history between Texas and Northwestern State. Texas won the first meeting, 112-53, on Nov. 16, 2010.
• Starters: Celina Rodrigo, Empress Davenport, Brady Sanders, Nneka Enemkpali and Imani McGee-Stafford. It is the seventh different starting lineup in 11 games for the Longhorns.
• In the first half: Texas outrebounded Northwestern State, 26-to-5. Northwestern State's five first-half rebounds is the lowest rebounding total in a half for the Lady Demons this season. Texas outscored the Lady Demons in the paint (30-to-8) and on second-chance points (22-to-0), as well as recorded a plus-3 assist-to-turnover ratio (10-7).
• Texas outscored Northwestern State 50-to-14 in the paint. The Longhorns have outscored opponents in the paint this season by an average of 20.7 points per contest.
• The Longhorns capitalized on 19 Northwestern State turnovers to outscore the Lady Demons 29-to-17 off turnovers. Texas also scored 30 second-chance points to Northwestern State's five, and the Longhorn's bench doubled the Lady Deamon's bench output, 50-to-25.
• Texas' 53.6 3-point field goal percentage is the second-highest 3-point shooting percentage this season. Texas shot 57.1 percent against Syracuse on Nov. 28, 2013.
• As a team, Texas recorded a positive assist-to-turnover ratio (25-14) for the second consecutive game and dished out the third most assists this season.
Nneka Enemkpali
• Recorded her eighth double-figure scoring effort this season and her fourth consecutive with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
• Also pulled down a game-high seven rebounds in 28 minutes.
Nekia Jones
• Scored a season-high 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting
• Hit a season-high four three's and grabbed four rebounds in 11 minutes of play.
Celina Rodrigo
• Dished out a team-high five assists and had only one turnover in 17 minutes of play.
• Has had a 4.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio over the last four games.
Imani McGee-Stafford
• Scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds in 13 minutes of play.
• Her 10 point scoring effort was her fifth double-figure scoring effort this season and the 22nd of her career.
Empress Davenport
• Dished out a season-high four assists in 20 minutes of play.
GiGi Mazionyte
• Grabbed a career-high six rebounds and scored six points in 13 minutes of play.
Head Coach Karen Aston
Opening Statement: As a coach anytime that you are getting ready to go home for Christmas you are always concerned about the focus level of your team. My concern showed up a little bit early in the game. I didn't think we were really ready to play. We weren't very focused, and a lot of that had to do with Northwestern State. Their offense is very difficult to guard. They're undersized, but they back door you and we were a little flat-footed on the defensive end. For most of the game I thought they executed very well. I thought our bench was terrific tonight. Our starters seemed a little bit flat. I thought immediately when we subbed the game turned around. It turned around on the defensive end, and the energy really picked up. I thought the way our bench played tonight was really the difference in the game.
On Nekia Jones: She has very good feet. That is the most noticeable thing when you watch her play. Her feet are quick. She is agile and very coordinated. She has an enormous amount of potential. Both her and Brianna (Taylor) do, but they also have a lot to learn. I appreciate that they understand it is a process and everyday is a learning experience. All of the freshmen understand that it is a process and they understand their role right now. These young ladies want to win.
On Texas' depth: I think we have still a long way to go. What happened tonight wasn't possible last year. There are going to be nights when starters won't have it, and they need players who will energize the team. The bench was able to do that tonight. We've grown so much. If I can say anything it is that we have grown. These players are saying the right things in huddles and they want to win.
Freshman forward Nekia Jones
On comfort level after playing two games: It was a great experience. I know that through the nine games I missed, my teammates and coaches believe that when I get out there, I can be good. I just kept playing hard out there and Coach Aston always told me be patient and wait your turn, just take your time. I just built that confidence so that when I go out there to play hard and do the little things to help this team get better.
On what freshman guard Brianna Taylor does best: Defense. I think she is going to be one of the greatest players defensively at the University of Texas. She just brings that energy and she competes every play. Even in practice. She is probably not the strongest but she works so hard and it's just amazing and I'm just feeding off of her, trying to be like her.
Freshman guard Brianna Taylor
On comfort level being a freshman: I guess just the process and really just trying to get back in the swing of things and try to do everything to help the team off the bench to relieve some people that need a break. It's really fun like Nekia (Jones) said, it's an experience and a process.
On bench play: I think the bench just really wants to help the team anyway we can. We just feed off of each other. Like how Nekia was hitting threes, it just gave all of us energy and it makes the game more fun when everyone is into it and everyone is contributing.
On freshman forward Nekia Jones: I didn't know her personally, but I had heard of her (coming into college) and had seen highlights of her. I know what she was all about. She has a really nice all-around game. I love the way she hustles on defense and on offense and how she communicates with us and how she is a leader on the court.
