For Immediate Release: Thursday, January 02, 2003
Contact: Adam Pitterman, UTPA Assistant Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

LADY BRONCS OPEN NEW YEAR WITH BINGHAMTON AND NEBRASKA

EDINBURG, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American women's basketball team will play two games in three days to open the New Year. Texas-Pan American will host Binghamton University Friday evening at 7:00 p.m; and travel to Nebraska Sunday afternoon for a 2:05 p.m. tip-off.

Offensively, the Lady Broncs will look to senior guard Alex Gravel (Chicoutimi, Quebec/Vanier HS) and senior forward Naima Williams' (Houston, TX (Clear Brook HS) to continue their strong play. Last month, the pair tied for the team's top scoring performance of the season, with Williams scoring 22 points against Northern Arizona December 14th and Gravel duplicating the feat against Montana.

At the Lady Griz Holiday Classic last weekend, Gravel connected on a season-high six three-point baskets against Montana, and hit five treys the following night against 14th ranked Mississippi State.

"Alex has been shooting much better," said UTPA Interim Head Coach Tracy Anderson. "That has given us a lift offensively. We've had consistent play from (senior forward) Julie Porter (Manchester, MI (Manchester HS/Kalamazoo Valley JC) and Naima Williams as well."

Gravel leads the Lady Broncs with 12.4 points per game. Williams averages 9.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while sophomore guard Jennifer Piwonka scores 7.1 points per game and averages 4.6 rebounds per game. Porter grabs a team-high six rebounds per game, while averaging 5.7 points.

Binghamton brings a 2-5 record into Friday's contest, and is very balanced offensively. Jennifer Blues leads the team with 12.6 points per game, and four other players are averaging over six points per game. Leala Wegwerth averages 9.9 points and 4.9 rebounds, while Nicole Dypolt scored 8.3 points per game and grabs a team-high 5.4 rebounds. Kate Townley directs the Bearcat offense with 6.7 points per game and a team-high 34 assists.

The Bearcats are converting on 40.3 percent of their shots from the field, and 34.6 percent of their shots from three-point range. Binghamton is also outrebounding the opposition, 36.6-33.6.

"They are a team that has seen a lot of success in the last few years," said Anderson. "They are a very fundamental team, and are definitely a team-they have one player in double figures, while everyone else contributes. They move the ball very well, and shoot very well. We will have to get out and defend against them."

Nebraska brings a 7-3 record into Sunday's contest, most recently dropping an 83-64 decision to 15th ranked Penn State at the San Diego Surf & Slam Tournament.

The Cornhuskers feature four players scoring 11 or more points, led by Alexa Johnson's 16.6 points per game. Johnson is tied with Katie Morse for the rebounding lead, both averaging 7.9 boards per game. Jina Johansen has dished out 61 assists and averages 6.3 points. Amanda Cleveland leads the team with 18 blocked shots.

Nebraska is hitting 41.6 percent of their shots from the field, while allowing the opposition to convert on 35.2 percent of their attempts. The Cornhuskers are outrebounding their opponents 40-39.4.

"Nebraska is a typical Big-12 team," said Anderson. "They're big, but they've been hit by injuries. They lost their starting center to a knee injury. They defend really well, and execute on both ends of the floor."

The Lady Broncs return to action when they host Air Force next Thursday evening.

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