Stanley Almost Perfect, Patriots Pound Texas Lutheran
November 25, 2006
Stats -- Broadcast

Sarah Stanley had an almost perfect game, throwing down 30 points in just 19 minutes as the Patriots ran through Texas Lutheran 91-51.

Early pressure gave The University of Texas at Tyler (2-0, 1-0 ASC) an 18-2 run to start the game, and the Patriots blew away the Bulldogs, never trailing.

Stanley’s (SR/Rockwall, TX) game was nearly perfect (audio) against the Bulldogs, shooting 12-14 from the field, and hitting all three free throws and three-pointers she attempted. Stanley also added five steals, three assists, and two blocks in just 19 minutes in the blowout win. Coach Terri Deike says when Stanley is on, she’s impossible to stop.

“Well, she is just a great pure shooter, and believe me, that’s no credit to me,” she says, laughing. “She came to us that way, and she can read the defense so well and knows when to pass, who’s open, and she knows when she’s got the shot.”

“When she puts it up, she’s money in the bank.”

The Patriots were able to use the blowout win to get some playing time for their younger players, with all fifteen active players seeing time. Freshman Haleigh Hennig (F/Beeville, TX) continued her string of strong performances with 16 points in just 11 minutes. Hennig’s touch from the paint impresses Deike.

“I think that she’s one of the best pure shooters I’ve gotten to coach since being here, besides Sarah. She had a great high school coach who taught her how to shoot. She brings the ball high, she’s got a great follow-through, and as a freshman I just think she’s a great recruit with a good future.”

LaKeisha Grant (SR/Marshall, TX) had her second straight ten point game off the bench for UT Tyler. Backup point guard Alyssa Ploof (FR/Plano, TX) handled the game in relief of RaTonya Hunter (SR/Athens, TX), playing 17 minutes and collecting five points, six assists, and seven rebounds. Deike said after a shaky first game, it was good to see Ploof take command of the game.

“I think tonight, she got over some of those first-college-game jitters, and I saw some great passes from her. She sees the floor very well, especially for a freshman, and she’s got a great future with us as well.”

The Patriots next game will be Monday night at 5:30 against Schreiner. That game will be at the Herrington Patriot Center, and also live on the UT Tyler Sports Network.

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