DRC Womens BB, NT looks to stay in tight race

[OldTimer]

Women's basketball: UNT looks to stay in tight race

09:09 AM CST on Saturday, February 7, 2004

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

The North Texas women’s basketball team lost out on its battle for first place in the Sun Belt Conference’s West Division standings Thursday.

Today, the Lady Eagles will try to hang on to the next best thing: second place.

UNT (8-12) enters a 7 p.m. game against New Mexico State (10-10) at the Super Pit tied with NMSU for the second slot in the SBC West.

Both teams have 4-4 marks in league play entering what could be a key point in their seasons.

The winner of UNT’s tilt with the Aggies will make a move back toward the top of the conference standings. The loser will lose ground in a tight race for the division title.

South Alabama and Louisiana-Lafayette are both 5-3 in division play, one game in front of UNT and NMSU.

The Lady Eagles had a chance to improve their spot in the standings on Thursday, but failed to convert in a 53-50 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette.

UNT coach Tina Slinker called the loss a significant one, especially since it was a game the Lady Eagles had plenty of chances to win. UNT will have to recover quickly if it is to keep its place among the teams bunched toward the top of the conference standings.

"The race is too close to get down after a loss on the road," Slinker said.

Even after the loss, the Lady Eagles are in position to control their own destiny heading into the stretch run of the season. UNT will play six of its last seven games at home.

The Lady Eagles will play their last regular season road game on Thursday against Middle Tennessee.

UNT had a chance to build momentum for its season-ending home stretch, but failed to convert against Lafayette. The Lady Eagles had three chances to either tie the game or take the lead in the final minutes, but failed to convert each time.

Jill Medlock scored 15 points on five 3-point shots for UNT, but saw her shot at a sixth fall short in the final seconds of the game. Lafayette shadowed Medlock on UNT’s final play of the game and forced her into an off-balance attempt.

"We were confused at the end," Medlock said. "We didn’t execute the play."

The miss spoiled a late comeback attempt fueled by 3-point shots by Medlock and freshman forward Kelsie Edwards.

Senior forward Kim Blanton is averaging 12.2 points a game, while Medlock is adding 11.2 points per contest.

New Mexico State features two players who rank among the top 10 scorers in the Sun Belt. Princess Moore is averaging 16.5 points a game to lead NMSU, while preseason All-Sun Belt Conference selection Sinnamonn Garrett is adding 15.2 points a game.

NMSU won its first meeting with UNT, 83-72, but has struggled since. The Lady Aggies have lost four of their last seven games.

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870.