Patriots Fall By Eight to D-II Texas A&M-Commerce
December 19, 2006
Stats -- Broadcast

The University of Texas at Tyler (6-3, 4-2 ASC)  led at halftime, but fell to Texas A&M-Commerce 92-84 behind a barrage of seven Lady Lions three-pointers in the second half.

UT Tyler led for the entire first half, keeping the Division II Lady Lions off-balance and holding them to 2-for-10 shooting from three-point range.

In the second half, however, Texas A&M-Commerce found the range. Kanani Marshal hit five threes in the second half, becoming her school’s all-time leading career three-point shooter.

Marshal finished with 24 points. Post player Alicia Johnson also had three three-pointers in the second half, and the Lady Lions finished 9-of-23 from the arc.
           
“It’s just so hard to defend,” Patriots coach Terri Deike said, “because even the posts would come out and shoot the threes. All five of them could shoot it, and if we go out to defend all five of them at the three-point line, then the posts could go in and hit the easy bucket inside.”

The Patriots were led in scoring by Sarah Stanley (SR/Rockwall, TX) with 24 points, and Sha Shead (SR/LaRue, TX) with 23 and four rebounds.

LaShaina Williams (SO/Desoto, TX) came off the bench to provide eight points (audio) , tree rebounds, and two steals in a strong defensive performance.

“She did a great job,” Deike said. “We kept her in because she plays such great defense, but she got down the floor and got her points.”

Point guard RaTonya Hunter (SR/Athens, TX) filled the stat sheet with six points, five rebounds, seven  assists, and two steals.

“Ro did a great job as always, especially on defense. The girl she was defending took her to the hoop a couple of times so we cushioned off just a little bit to help out, and she didn’t score after that.”

The Patriots are now off for the winter break. Their next game will be January 2, 2007, when they travel to Hawkins to take on Jarvis Christian College.

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

Athletics Home Page