The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
8-0
Northwestern State
4-4
Enemkpali reaches 1,000 career points in 74-34 win over Northwestern State
12.14.2014 | Women's Basketball
Senior forward Nneka Enemkpali becomes the 37th Longhorn to reach 1,000 career points as No. 3/3 Texas defeats Northwestern State, 74-34, on Sunday afternoon.
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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Senior forward Nneka Enemkpali scored 10 points to become the 37th Longhorn to join the 1,000-point club during third-ranked Texas' 74-34 win over Northwestern State on Sunday afternoon at the Erwin Center. Enemkpali also grabbed 10 rebounds to notch her 24th career double-double.
"It's a huge individual accolade and it's an honor being part of such a prestigious group here at The University of Texas," Enemkpali said. "It feels good. I know that I've been on really great teams and have had really great teammates -- that's probably what I'll remember more than joining in the 1,000-point club."
Head Coach Karen Aston noted that Enemkpali joined an elite club by reaching 1,000 points. Then added, "A whole lot of the points are probably from rebounds." Enemkpali now ranks second in the Big 12 with 8.6 rebounds a game.
Aston added, "We all can see that Nneka is just a phenomenal rebounder. She has not only a nose for the ball but a desire to go get the ball. I think it becomes contagious for those other players to see how hard she works on the boards."
Sophomore center Kelsey Lang led Texas with 12 points in 24 minutes on Sunday. Freshman guard Tasia Foman scored 12 points in 13 minutes off the bench, while freshman guard Brooke McCarty started for the first time in her career. Junior guard Brady Sanders started for the third time this season and registered eight points.
Beatrice Attura led Northwestern State (4-4) with 12 points.
Northwestern State was ineffective from the beginning, missing its first six shots, committing two turnovers, and falling behind 16-0 before finally scoring nearly 5 minutes into the game.
"They have a lot of talent, but Karen [Aston] gets them to play hard," said Brooke Stoehr, co-head coach for Northwestern State. "They're playing with a lot of passion, a lot of intensity. Every loose ball, every offensive rebound opportunity, they go pursue the basketball."
Texas (8-0) played without Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year Ariel Atkins, who injured her right ankle last week. The 5-foot-11 Atkins started five of the Longhorns' first seven games, averaging 10.6 points and 4.3 rebounds.
The Longhorns conclude a six-game home stand on Wednesday against McNeese State (7 p.m. Central, Longhorn Network).
• Series: Texas now leads the all-time series with Northwestern State, 3-0.
• Undefeated: The Longhorns improve to 8-0, becoming the seventh team in program history to begin the season with an 8-0 record. UT's eight-game winning streak is the best start since beginning the 2008-09 season with an 11-0 record.
• 1,000 points: Senior forward Nneka Enemkpali became the 37th Longhorn to reach 1,000 career points at Texas. Her 1,000th career point was scored on a free throw at the 14:20 mark of the second half. Enemkpali finished with 10 points (3-6 FG, 4-6 FT) to increase her career point total to 1,002, passing Kayla Bowers (999 points) for 37th on UT's all-time scoring list. Enemkpali added 10 rebounds for her 24th career double-double.
• Strong defense: Texas held the Lady Demons to 34 points -- the lowest point total for a UT opponent since the Horns' 60-26 victory over Arkansas-Little Rock last season (Dec. 4, 2013). Northwestern State was held to 32.5 percent shooting with 24 turnovers.
• Points in the paint: Texas outscored Northwestern State in the paint, 38-12. The Longhorns improve their season average of points in the paint to 38.3-to-17.5.
• First half dominance: Texas led NSU at halftime, 38-13. UT has now led at the half in all eight games. No UT opponent has scored more than 20 first-half points in six home games this season.
• Tasia Foman (Freshman, G) scored a career-high 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-3 3FG) in 13 minutes of action.
• Brooke McCarty (Freshman, G) made her first career start.
Head Coach Karen Aston
Opening Statement: I thought we got off to a really good start. Considering it was finals week, we had three pretty hard practices I thought. I was really pleased with our energy level. It continues to be really high. We had some lulls in this game and we will look at that on the film. Overall, really pleased with our effort.
On Nneka Enemkpali scoring her 1,000th career point: I think it's special for any player. It's an elite club in a program like Texas Basketball, so I think she should be really proud. She's a humble person where she will give credit to other people but a whole lot of those points were probably from rebounds. She's a tremendous competitor. She's in an elite club because of her competitive nature.
On UT's fast start: I thought we were pretty good getting out of the gate and that's a big thing with me. The players know that. They know that I'm big on having a good start and having a lot of energy to start a game.
Nneka Enemkpali (Senior, F)
On scoring her 1,000th career point: It's a huge individual accolade and it's an honor being part of such a prestigious group here at The University of Texas. It feels good. I know that I've been on really great teams and have had really great teammates -- that's probably what I'll remember more than joining in the 1,000-point club.
Nekia Jones (Sophomore, F)
On Nneka Enemkpali's leadership role: She sets an example for our whole team. She goes out there every practice, every day. Before practice she gets us emotionally ready and she gets us focused before the practice and game. We really enjoy that because she challenges us every day.
On difference between this year's team and last years: Mentally and physically. We're probably in the best shape. Mentally we're really tough and knew what to expect going into the season. We're not underdogs and need to bring it every single day. We have to be ready to go. It's exciting and we know that every play has to be consistent.
Tasia Foman (Freshman, Guard)
On her role on the team: I just thought about Coach [Aston] saying to always be ready. That's just what I do when I come in. I always just try to remember the little things Coach tells me. I just try to play free and remember what she tells me.
NORTHWESTERN STATE
Co-Head Coach Brooke Stoehr
Opening statement: Obviously you have to tip your hat to Karen [Aston] and her staff. She's done a tremendous job. I thought they had a very nice team last year, but you see the pieces she's added to the puzzle and who she's surrounded that core group from last year with. They've got a lot of talent but she gets them to play so hard. I think that's the difference in watching them on film last couple of years as opposed to facing them today. They're playing with a lot passion and a lot of intensity. You can tell she is putting her footprint on the program in terms of how hard they're playing and how hard they're competing.
