Both teams played their first game of the season on Sunday, Nov. 11. Texas defeated Stetson 95-59 while McNeese State beat Southern-New Orleans 76-61. Texas leads the series between the teams 5-0. The last game played before this season was back in Dec. 01, 2004.
Eleven of the fourteen players on the roster got to see action for McNeese State. The Cowgirls had two starters returning from last season: 5-7 Soph. PG Caitlin Davis (started 29-31 games) and 6-0 Sr. F Mercedes Rogers (started 31-31 games). In McNeese State’s 2017-18 opening game, Davis started while Rogers came off the bench. Other players joining Davis in the starting lineup were Keara Hudnall (#00, 6-0 Sr. G), Regan Bolton (#1, 5-8 Soph. G), Bre’Ashlee Jones (#2, 5-7 Fr. F) and Jasmyn Carswell (#5, 6-0 Sr. F). Other players that got in were Dede Sheppard (#4, 5-8 Sr. G), Shayln Riley(#34, 5-7 Sr. F), Cinthya Rivas (#13, 5-2 Jr. P), Haley Cooley (#20, 5-7 Fr. PG) and Gabby Guidry (#15, 5-8 Sr. G).
The leading scorer for the Cowgirls was Hudnall with 17 pts. Three others were in double figures as well: Rogers and Sheppard with 13 points apiece while Bolton added 12 points. In 31 minutes of action, Davis (#3), flirted with a trible double, scoring 9 pts, grabbing 7 rebs and handing out 7 assists. Rogers (#21) came off the bench to notch a double double with 13 pts and 13 rebs. Bolton was 4-8 from BTA to lead the Cowgirls. Three others had at least four attempts from BTA: Davis (1-5), Hudnall (1-4) and Sheppard (1-5). The Cowgirls were a very poor 46.7% from the FT, making 9 of 16 attempts. McNeese relied on quantity to make their points as they took 77 shots, hitting 40.3% from the field. Three players had double figure rebs for McNeese State: Rogers (13 rebs), Carswell (11 rebs) and Jones (10 rebs).
Davis notched 31 minutes while five others had between 28 and 21 minutes. Two had minutes in the teens while the other three had single digit minutes. Interestingly enough, the Cowgirls have two 5-7 forwards, one (Jones) who started the game. Their tallest players are Rivas (6-2 P) and Koko Daniels (#23, 6-1 Fr. P) who did not play against Southern-New Orleans.
The Horns’ starting lineup was the same as the one used in the exhibition game: Brooke, LaShann, Ariel, Audrey-Ann and Jatarie. All 13 available players got into the game. Brooke (24 minutes) and Ariel (22 minutes) played the most minutes.
Five players scored in double digits, led by LaShann with 18 points. The others were Brooke (14 pts), Jordan (13 pts), Alecia (11 pts) and Audrey-Ann (10 pts). Ariel and Jatarie had nine points each. Brooke’s eleven shot attempts topped the team. Everyone else had at least three shot attempts. It all added up to 83 shots or 2.075 shot attempts per minute.
Jordan (8 rebs and 13 pts) and Jatarie (9 pts and 9 rebs) just missed getting a double double in the first game. Ariel led the team in assists (6) and steals (4). Ariel, Jordan and Chasity each had one block to lead the team. Brooke led the team with 2-5 from BTA although Ariel, Jada and Alecia each hit 100% from BTA, making their one attempt from BTA. The biggest problem that showed up was the 56.3% from the FT line. LaShann (4-5) and Jordan (2-2) did shine from the FT line. Six players had steals, led by Ariel’s four.
Starting lineups based on prior game starting lineups.
The McNeese State Cowgirls are a small team, with only two players over 6 feet: 6-2 Rivas and 6-1 Daniels. Texas will have a huge advantage in the post. Our post players should be able to take advantage of their height advantage. The other thing is that Texas has an experience edge, especially in the backcourt. I have to wonder if Rogers, a starter all of last season, will return to a starting role, perhaps in place of Jones, 5-7 Fr. F. Of course, Jones did grab 10 rebs to go with 6 points, so she was productive.
It will be interesting to see who Jones, their 5-7 starting forward, guards of Audrey-Ann or Jatarie or will the Cowgirls go with Hudnall defending in the post?
There is no question that the Longhorns will have a significant height advantage in this game. Our posts should dominate in the half court game whenever the Horns have to run it. One thing both teams have in common after one game is poor FT shooting. Texas is at a poor 56.3% on 9-16 while McNeese State is coming after an even worse performance of 46.7% on 7-15.
The Cowgirls will try to slow down the Horns’ stampede. Both teams forced 22 TOs in their first game but McNeese State also committed 18 while Texas only committed 13. Both teams excelled at swiping the ball with the Horns taking 10 steals and the Cowgirls swiping 8. My guess is that Texas will end up on the plus side of that statistic.
Some things I expect to see from the Horns: better defense (no getting caught by backdoor cuts, closing out on the 3pt shooter more quickly, continuing to keep the motor running for forty minutes. And, hopefully, lots of playing time for our frosh.
From an email send out by UT sports:
A few reminders for season ticket holders regarding this game only:
• Parking is affected for this event. ALL Longhorn Foundation parking permit holders MUST park in the Health Center Garage (1601 Trinity St.). ADA parking spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Lots 80, 108, 118 and Trinity Garage are unavailable for this game.
• Season ticket holders should sit in Sections 20 and 35, or Section 21 below the rail.
• Suites and courtside seating assignments do not change for this game.
• Courtside Club hospitality will be open in Cooley Pavilion, and the Texas Hoops Club in the Lone Star Room will operate as normal.
Game time is an early 11 AM as this is Texas’ annual 40 Acres Field Trip game with several thousand school kids getting to attend the game as a precursor to touring the campus.
Don’t forget to park in the Health Center Garage instead of Trinity. It’s on the corner of Trinity and 15th Street.
The game will be televised on the LHN and radio broadcast on FM 105.3.
Last edited: Nov 13, 2017