Texas Wesleyan Lucky Number Thirteen For Patriots
December 5, 2006
Stats -- Broadcast

The Patriots ran their record home winning streak to thirteen games on Tuesday with their first win over NAIA Texas Wesleyan University, 83-57.

The University of Texas at Tyler (5-1, 2-1 ASC) had played the Lady Rams twice, losing both previous games. Tonight, however, the Patriots scored off the opening tip and never trailed. Sarah Stanley (SR/Rockwall, TX), battling a cold, scored 22 points in 24 minutes. She scored six points in six minutes in the first half.

“I took Sarah out quickly because she’s been sick and just couldn’t breathe,” Patriots coach Terri Deike said. “We put her back in the second half, and she said she was fine.”

The Patriots led by three at halftime, but Deike’s halftime pep talk led them on a 14-4 run to start the second half, and UT Tyler never looked back.

“We talked about the two things we’ve got to do, which is play defense and rebounding. We were able to score in transition some tonight, and that helps.”

LaKeisha Grant (SR/Marshall, TX) had a team-high 11 rebounds, the most ever for a Patriot against Texas Wesleyan. She also added eight points.

“She saved our life inside in the first half, because she was rebounding the ball. She did a good job even if she just had eight points, that’s okay in this particular instance because we had to have those rebounds. LaKeisha did a great job and kept us in the game in the first half.”

With the non-conference game, the Patriots were able to use some of their younger players for extended minutes. Haleigh Hennig (FR/Beeville, TX) had seven rebounds in her twelve minutes, and Alexis Lewis (FR/Houston, TX) had three points and three assists in the same timespan.

"It’s kind of intimidating to them to come into this lineup, I guess, because Ro, Sarah, Kasey, and Sha have been together and they have great chemistry and they’ve won. I want those new kids to shoot when they're in the right place."

Kelli Walker (JR/Rockwall, TX) played a season-high 22 minutes, hitting her first three-pointer of the year (audio).

The Patriots are on the road next, taking on The University of New Orleans on Saturday at 2 p.m.. That game can be heard live on the UT Tyler Sports Network.

Reid Kerr can be reached at rkerr@uttyler.edu.

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