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UTPA Gets Revenge Against Bobcats, 61-51
Dec. 28, 2006
EDINBURG - Aleeya Grigsby scored nine of UTPA's final 11 points, including hitting 7-of-8 free throws in the final 1:28 as the Lady Broncs (6-9) defeated Texas State (7-5) 61-51 on the first day of the Battle at the Border tournament. It was the first victory for the Lady Broncs over the Bobcats in three tries this season. Texas State had previously won by scores of 62-59 and 49-33. Brooke DeGrate and Janesha Washington each scored 10 points to lead the Bobcats, who shot just 28.6 percent in the second half after shooting 63.2 percent in the game's first 20 minutes. The `Cats took a 7-4 lead three minutes into the game when DeGrate's steal created a fast break that resulted in Ekworomadu getting fouled on a made lay-up and then converting her free throw at the 17:00 mark. Texas State continued to lead early on thanks to a stout defense that held UTPA scoreless for nearly six minutes. Rose Esther Jean finally ended the Lady Bronc drought with 11:42 left to make it 11-6 Bobcats. UTPA battled back, cutting the Bobcat lead to one at 19-18 with 6:36 remaining and then taking a 23-22 lead with 4:30 left in the first half. The Lady Broncs' first half lead got as high as five, but Washington and DeGrate each hit threes to cut into the lead as Texas State headed into half time down by only one at 29-28. Turnovers to open the second half caused the `Cats to go the first 3:22 of the second half without a point until Aimee Hilburn hit a baseline jumper to make it 32-30. UTPA responded with a 10-5 run to build a lead of seven, but Washington helped spark a Bobcat rally by scoring five straight points, including a three to tie it with 7:30 remaining. Texas State then took its first lead since the 4:30 mark of the first half when Hilburn was fouled on a made lay-up and hit her free throw following an Ashley Riley steal that made it 48-45 `Cats.
The Lady Broncs again made a run, this time using a 9-0 run to retake the lead over a 3:32 span and go up 54-48, UTPA's largest lead of the game, with 3:10 remaining. After a Washington jumper made it 55-51 with 46 seconds left, the `Cats were forced to foul, but Grigsby made both free throws to extend UTPA's lead back to six. Ekworomadu had a chance to answer, but missed two free throws of her own. Grigsby then returned to the line and made both attempts to put away the Bobcats before adding two more a possession later. Grigsby led UTPA with 16 points, while Tamara Vaughn added 15 for the Lady Broncs. Action for the Bobcats at the Battle of the Border hosted by UTPA concludes tomorrow at 5 p.m. when Texas State plays Maryland-Baltimore County. |
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