Dec. 1, 1997
Lady Rebels to Battle Youngstown State in Home Opener
Lady Rebel Basketball This Week:
LAS VEGAS CLUB SHOOTOUT, LAS VEGAS, NEV.
Fri., Dec. 5 - UNLV vs. Youngstown State (Radio-Live) - 3:00 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 5 - Middle Tennessee State vs. Xavier - 5:00 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 6 - Consolation Game (1) - 3:00 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 6 - Championship Game (2) - 5:00 p.m.
(1) Game between Friday’s losers; (2) Game between Friday’s winners
Games held at Lied Gymnasium (1,500), Las Vegas, Nev.
Both UNLV games will be broadcast live on KSFN - 1140 AM by Bob Blum
The UNLV women’s basketball team will be in Las Vegas this week for its home opener as it hosts the Las Vegas Club Shootout. The Lady Rebels will open the tournament vs. Youngstown State on Friday, Dec. 5 at 3:00 p.m. Following that contest, Middle Tennessee State will battle Xavier at 5:00 p.m. The losers of those games will play in the consolation game on Saturday Dec. 6 at 3:00 p.m., while the winners will face off for the championship at 5:00 p.m. All games will be held at UNLV’s Lied Gymnasium (1,500). The Lady Rebel matchups may be heard live on KSFN-1140 AM with Bob Blum calling the action.
The Lady Rebels -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Lady Rebels (0-4) continued on the road last week, traveling to Shreveport, La., for the Greater Shreveport Shootout. UNLV lost to No. 3 Louisiana Tech (43-73) and Texas A&M (83-57). Junior forward Angalete Dye leads the team with a per-game average of 12.3 points and 12.3 rebounds, while senior guard Taneisha Gossett is second on the team in scoring with 8.5 ppg. The Lady Rebels return seven players from last year’s squad that recorded an overall record of 4-23, finishing seventh in the WAC’s Pacific Division at 2-14. UNLV will participate in the Mountain Division this season because of the WAC’s rotating quadrants. Head Coach LaDonna McClain is in her second season at UNLV and eighth overall as a head coach.
The Opponents -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Youngstown State (5-1) won two road games last week at Akron (73-58) and at Missouri-Kansas City (66-58). The Lady Penguins are led by senior forward Shannon Beach who is averaging 17.0 ppg and junior forward/center Teresira Jones who is averaging 7.7 rpg. YSU finished the 1996-97 season with an overall record of 23-6 and first in the Mid-Continent Conference with a 13-3 mark. Head Coach Ed DiGregorio is in his 15th year.
Middle Tennessee State (2-2) lost last week on the road at Cincinnati (81-61), then returned home to defeat Montevallo (87-67). The Lady Raiders are led by junior guard Carlita Elder who is averaging 12.0 ppg and junior forward Teneka Burrell who is averaging 8.3 rpg. MTSU finished last year with an overall record of 10-20 and tied for 6th in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 7-11 mark. Head Coach Stephany Smith is in her first year.
Xavier (3-1) won last week on the road at Bradley (67-58) and lost at home to Ohio State (77-63). The Musketeers are led by sophomore guard Amy Hughes who is averaging 14.0 ppg and sophomore guard/forward Kim Hotz who is averaging 8.0 rpg. XU finished last season with an overall record of 10-17 and ended up fifth in the Atlantic 10’s West Division with a 5-11 mark. Head Coach Melanie Balcomb is in her third year at the school and fifth overall.
New Faces -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Lady Rebels have six new additions to the program, four coming from junior college programs and two out of high school. Eishia Brightwell, a 6-1 junior from Lawrenceburg, Ind., comes to UNLV from Vincennes University where she averaged 14.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg and 2.1 bpg. Rashmi Houston, a 5-9 junior guard from Pulaski, Tenn., played at Northwest Shoals Community College in Ala., where she averaged 14 ppg, 6 rpg and 4 apg last year. Kristen Pool, a 5-6 point guard from Provo, Utah, attended Utah Valley State College averaging 6.0 ppg, 5.8 apg and 2.1 spg as the team won the conference championship with a 25-7 mark last year. Kedonica Qualls, the final junior-college transfer, is a 5-6 junior guard from Jonesboro, La. She went to Kilgore Junior College in Texas where she averaged 7 ppg, 5 apg and 3 spg last season. Brooke Ingalls is a freshman forward from Redmond, Wash. She attended Eastlake High School, averaging 13 ppg, 9 rpg and 5 apg her senior season. Tina Garcia is a freshman guard from Huntington Beach, Calif., who attended Mater Dei High School. She had reconstructive knee surgery and is finishing up her rehabilitation. Garcia will use this season as a redshirt year.
Possible Lady Rebel Starters ------------------------------------------------------------
No. - Player - Pos. - Ht. - Yr.-Exp Hometown/Last School - 1997-98 Statistics
15 - Liz Wolfe - C - 6-3 - Jr.-2L - Coquitlam, B.C./Centennial SS - 3.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg
20 - Karen Webster - G - 5-8 - Jr.-2L - Bellevue, Wash./Sammamish HS - 4.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg
21 - Angalete Dye - F - 6-1 - Jr.-2L - Vacaville, Calif./Will C. Wood HS - 12.3 ppg, 12.3 rpg
33 - Taneisha Gossett G - 5-9 - Sr.-1L - Phoenix, Ariz./Central Arizona Coll. 8.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg
54 - Eishia Brightwell F - 6-1 - Jr.-JC - Lawrenceburg, Ind./Vincennes Univ. - 3.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg
- -
Lady Rebels Off The Bench --------------------------------------------------------------
No. - Player - Pos. - Ht. - Yr.-Exp. - Hometown/Last School - 1997-98 Statistics
00 - Amy Wunderlich - F - 6-0 - Jr.-2L - Norco, Calif./Norco HS - 6.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg
11 - Kristen Pool - G - 5-6 - Jr.-JC - Provo, Utah/Utah Valley State Coll. - 7.0 ppg, 3.5 apg
24 - Toby Girard - G - 5-5 - Sr.-1L - Tempe, Ariz./Yavapai College - 3.5 ppg, 1.0 rpg
30 - Kedonica Qualls - G - 5-6 - Jr.-JC - Jonesboro, La./Kilgore (Texas) JC - 0.0 ppg, 0.8 rpg
31 - Brooke Ingalls - F - 6-0 - Fr.-HS - Redmond, Wash./Eastlake HS - 1.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg
40 - Tekeira Strambler F - 5-11 Sr.-1L - Midland, Texas/Central Arizona Coll. 3.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg
-
Last Year ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Lady Rebels struggled last year in LaDonna McClain’s first season in Las Vegas. UNLV recorded a record of 4-23 overall and 2-14 in WAC play. The Lady Rebels finished seventh in the Pacific Division, failing to qualify for the WAC Tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Lady Rebel Returnees ----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Lady Rebels return eight players from last year’s roster. 6-1 junior forward Angalete Dye is one of the returning post players. She recorded career highs of 30 points and 13 rebounds vs. TCU, the last game of the 1996-97 season. One of three seniors, 5-5 guard Toby Girard ran the point last season. She averaged 8.9 ppg. Another senior, 5-9 guard Taneisha Gossett returns as the Lady Rebels’ leading scorer, recording 10.7 ppg during 1996-97. Sophomore guard Sara Hoopes, the only local player on the team, redshirted last year and is currently academically ineligible. The final senior, 5-11 forward Tekeira Strambler saw limited action last season recording a career-best 16 points vs. Fairfield. Karen Webster, a 5-8 junior guard returns at the two-guard spot. She averaged 3.3 ppg last season. Liz Wolfe, a 6-3 junior center looks to be one of the more improved players on the team. Wolfe averaged 3.1 ppg and 3.7 rpg last year. The final returnee is 6-foot junior forward Amy Wunderlich. The most physical player on the team, she averaged 6.1 ppg and 5.0 rpg.
Last Week ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - SHREVEPORT, La. – Led by junior forward Monica Maxwell’s game-high 16 points, No. 3 Louisiana Tech defeated the UNLV Lady Rebels, 73-43, in the opening round of the Greater Shreveport Shootout, Friday night at the Centenary College Gold Dome. With a 12-10 advantage with 13 minutes left in the first half, Louisiana Tech (2-1) broke the game open by outscoring UNLV 27-8, taking a 39-18 lead into the locker room. The Lady Techsters opened the second half with a 15-6 run during the first 4:55, taking a 30 point lead, 54-24. UNLV cut the lead to 24 points at the 12:04 mark, but Louisiana Tech was too much, leading by as many as 34 en route to the victory. The Lady Rebels (0-3) were led by junior guard Karen Webster and junior forward Amy Wunderlich, who both recorded a team-high eight points. Junior center Liz Wolfe led UNLV in rebounds with eight. Sophomore guard Tamicha Jackson assisted the Lady Techsters (2-1) in the win, scoring all of her 13 points in the first half.
SHREVEPORT, La. – Led by sophomore guard Amy Yates’ six three pointers, Texas A&M defeated the UNLV Lady Rebels, 83-57, in the consolation game of the Greater Shreveport Shootout, Saturday night at the Centenary College Gold Dome. After leading by only two at the break, Texas A&M opened up the game by outscoring UNLV 16-7 over the first Last Week Cont. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------5:34 of the second half making the score 40-29. The Aggies ran away with it from there, leading by as many as 29 before earning the victory. Yates scored a game-high 25 points for Texas A&M (2-2), while sophomore forward Prissy Sharpe made all 10 of her free throw attempts, scoring 21 and pulling down a game-high 13 rebounds. The Aggies outscored UNLV by 24 points in the second half. The Lady Rebels (0-4) were led by junior forward Angalete Dye’s team-high 14 points. Junior guard Kristen Pool and junior forward Amy Wunderlich each scored 12 for UNLV, with Wunderlich recording a team-high nine rebounds.
Next Week --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNLV will be back on the road as it travels to Reno to face UNR on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2:00 p.m. The Lady Rebels will then host Northern Arizona at the Thomas & Mack Center on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 5:00 p.m. before traveling to Tampa, Fla., for a game vs. South Florida.
Series History ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNLV leads the series with Youngstown State 2-0. UNLV won the last meeting 84-64 in Las Vegas during the 1992-93 season. The other meeting was during the 1987-88 season when UNLV won 74-52 in Las Vegas. The Lady Rebels have never faced Middle Tennessee State or Xavier.
Head Coach LaDonna McClain ----------------------------------------------------------
Head Coach LaDonna McClain (Missouri Southern, ‘87) is in her second season at UNLV with a record of 4-27. The fifth head coach in the 23-year history of the UNLV women’s basketball program, she was hired in the spring of 1996 to replace former Head Coach Jim Bolla. In her first season with UNLV her team recorded a 4-23 mark. McClain came from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., where she headed that program for six seasons. APSU went 5-21 in her first season and she built it into the 1995-96 Ohio Valley Conference regular-season co-champions and tournament champions. She also led that team to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. McClain is in her eighth season as a head coach and has a career record of 64-130.
Assistant Coaches ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coming from Austin Peay State University with McClain are second-year UNLV assistant coaches Sheryl Krmpotich (Xavier, ‘92), Marcus Payne (Southwestern, ‘87) and Carrie Daniels (Austin Peay, ‘96). Director of Basketball Operations Steve Corraro (UNLV, ‘95) is in his fifth season with the program.
The Last Time ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNLV recorded its last win vs. Air Force (85-62) on Feb. 20, 1997. UNLV recorded its last road win at Long Beach State (64-63) during the 1995-96 season. The last tournament that UNLV hosted was the UNLV Shootout last season. The Lady Rebels lost to Southern Utah (71-64) and Georgia (87-41) in the event.
Top-Ranked Schedule ----------------------------------------------------------------------
UNLV has two opponents this season that are currently ranked in the top four. The Lady Rebels just lost to Louisiana Tech (3rd-Coaches, 4th-AP) and are scheduled to face Connecticut (2nd-Coaches, 3rd-AP) on Dec. 27. UNLV also has four teams on their schedule who are receiving votes for the polls. They are Colorado State, New Mexico, Hawai’i and Utah.
Injury Report -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Junior guard Rashmi Houston injured her knee during practice before the season started and will be evaluated. She is unable to play this week.
1997-98 Lady Rebel
Schedule/Results
Record: - 0-4 - Home: - 0-0
WAC: - 0-0 - Away: - 0-2
Vs. Top 25 - 0-1 - Neutral: - 0-2
Date - Opponent - W/L Time
11/9 - Alumni Game% (TMC) - L, 76-89
11/12 - SAM Myjava% - L, 44-68
11/21 - at Cal State Fullerton - L, 62-66
11/23 - at Long Beach State - L, 46-60
11/28 - No. 3 Louisiana Tech$ - L, 43-73
11/29 - Texas A&M$ - L, 57-83
12/5 - Youngstown State& - 3:00 p.m.
12/5 - Xavier/Mid. Tenn. St.& - 5:00 p.m.
12/6 - Consolation Game& - 3:00 p.m.
12/6 - Championship Game& - 5:00 p.m.
12/14 - at Nevada, Reno - 2:00 p.m.
12/17 - N. Arizona (TMC) - 5:00 p.m.
12/20 - South Florida! - 2:00 p.m.
12/27 - Connecticut (TMC) - 7:00 p.m.
12/30 - L. Marymount (TMC) - 5:00 p.m.
Home games in BOLD at Lied Gymnasium unless noted by Thomas & Mack Center (TMC)
% - Exhibition Game
$ - Shreveport Shootout, Shreveport, La.
& - Las Vegas Club Shootout, Las Vegas, Nev.
! - Tampa Bay Shootout, Tampa, Fla.
* - Western Athletic Conference Game
^ - WAC Crossover Game - will not count in - - conference record
# - WAC Tournament - held at the Thomas & Mack - - Center
ASSOCIATED PRESS
TOP 25 POLL
Games through Nov. 30
Rank Team - Record - Pts - Prv.
1. Tennessee (40) - 6-0 - 1,000 - 1
2. Old Dominion - 4-0 - 943 - 2
3. Connecticut - 6-0 - 915 - 3
4. Louisiana Tech - 3-1 - 896 - 4
5. Vanderbilt - 4-0 - 795 - 7
6. Illinois - 3-1 - 765 - 8
7. North Carolina - 4-1 - 689 - 9
8. Texas Tech - 3-1 - 687 - 6
9. Virginia - 5-0 - 636 - 10
10. Georgia - 3-0 - 586 - 13
11. Arizona - 1-0 - 543 - 12
12. Nebraska - 6-1 - 513 - 14
13. Florida - 4-2 - 506 - 5
14. Stanford - 1-3 - 425 - 11
15. Duke - 4-1 - 399 - 15
16. Colorado - 3-0 - 397 - 16
17. W. Kentucky - 6-1 - 389 - 22
18. Auburn - 3-0 - 367 - 18
19. Wisconsin - 4-0 - 316 - 23
20. Arkansas - 5-0 - 295 - 24
21. Alabama - 3-2 - 171 - 17
22. Tulane - 2-1 - 141 - 21
23. Stephen F.Austin - 2-2 - 136 - 19
24. Washington - 3-0 99 - -
25. N. Carolina St. - 6-0 72 - -
OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES:Â Kansas 62, Iowa 58, Purdue 51, Iowa St. 29, Colorado St. 25, Marquette 24, George Washington 16, Boston College 6, SW Missouri St. 6, Southern Meth. 6, UCLA 6, Fla. International 5, UC Santa Barbara 5, DePaul 4, Utah 4, Texas 3, Indiana 2, Michigan 2, New Mexico 2, Oregon 2, LSU 1. Italics indicate 1997-98 UNLV opponent
USA TODAY/ESPN TOP 25
Games through Nov. 23
Rank - Team - Record Pts - Last Year
1. - Tennessee (60) - 3-0 - 1,500 - 1
2. - Connecticut - 4-0 - 1,352 - 6
3. - Louisiana Tech - 1-1 - 1,351 - 2
4. - Old Dominion - 1-0 - 1,347 - 4
5. - Florida - 3-0 - 1,235 - 8
6. - Texas Tech - 2-0 - 1,099 - 9
7. - Vanderbilt - 3-0 - 973 - 11
8. - Illinois - 0-1 - 927 - 7
9. - North Carolina - 1-1 - 883 - 5
10. - Stanford - 0-2 - 876 - 3
11. - Georgia - 2-0 - 794 - 14
12. - Virginia - 3-0 - 790 - 13
13. - Arizona - 1-0 - 706 - 15
14. - Alabama - 1-1 - 673 - 10
15. - Nebraska - 4-1 - 568 - NR
16. - Duke - 2-0 - 544 - 19
17. - Colorado - 1-0 - 526 - 16
18. - Iowa - 1-1 - 368 - 12
19. - W. Kentucky - 3-1 - 364 - 17
20. - Auburn - 2-0 - 351 - 20
21. - Tulane - 2-0 - 318 - 22
22. - Stephen F. Austin 1-1 - 305 - 18
23. - Wisconsin - 1-0 - 301 - NR
24. - Purdue - 1-0 - 273 - NR
25. - Arkansas - 2-0 - 208 - NR
OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Kansas 207, North Carolina State 163, George Washington 103, LSU 50, Boston College 49, Oregon 30, Utah 28, Colorado State 26, Texas 24, UCLA 23, Hawaii 19, Clemson 18, Indiana 18, Penn State 14, Michigan State 12, DePaul 10, Florida International 9, Iowa State 8, Southern Methodist 7, Southwest Missouri State 7, Notre Dame 6, Montana 5, Michigan 4, Northwestern 4, Arkansas State 3, Drake 3, Maine 3, Marquette 3, Portland 3, Texas-Arlington 3, Miami (Fla.) 2, Louisville 1, Northwestern State (La.) 1, San Diego State 1, Southern California 1. Italics indicate 1997-98 UNLV opponent
1997-98 UNLV Lady Rebel Roster
#54 EISHIA BRIGHTWELL (F, 6-1, Jr.)
- SEASON-HIGH - CAREER-HIGH SEASON AVG
PTS - 6 @CSULB (11/23) - Same - 3.5
REBS - 6 @CSUF (11/21) - Same - 4.5
NOTES: She has started all four games at forward this season.
#21 ANGALETE DYE (F, 6-1, Jr.)
- SEASON-HIGH - CAREER-HIGH - SEASON AVG
PTS - 16 @CSUF (11/21) - 30 vs. TCU (2/27/97) - 12.3
REBS - 23 @CSULB (11/23) - Same - 12.3
BLKS - 4 @CSULB (11/23) - Same - 1.3
NOTES: She leads the team in points and rebounds...has recorded two double-doubles (pts and rebs)...she has started all four games this season...has scored in double figures in three of four games.
#5 TINA GARCIA (G, 5-10, Fr.)
NOTES: She is redshirting this season to rehabilitate her knee.
#24 TOBY GIRARD (G, 5-5, Sr.)
- SEASON-HIGH - CAREER-HIGH - SEASON AVG
PTS - 4 (Three times) - 22 vs. Fresno St. (1/16/97) 3.5
REBS - 1 (Four times) - 6 @TCU (2/22/97) 1.0
AST - 2 (Twice) - 8 vs. SJSU (1/18/97) 1.3
NOTES: She has seen limited minutes.
#33 TANEISHA GOSSETT (G, 5-9, Sr.)
- SEASON-HIGH - CAREER-HIGH - SEASON AVG
PTS - 17 @CSUF (11/21) - 28 vs. AFA (2/20/97) 8.5
REBS - 4 @CSULB (11/23) - 12 @USF (12/14/97) - 2.3
STLS - 5 @CSUF (11/21) - Same - 2.3
NOTES: Has started all four games this season...led the team in points with 17 at Cal State Fullerton.
#32 SARA HOOPES (G, 5-9, So.)
- SEASON-HIGH - CAREER-HIGH (@NAU) - SEASON AVG
PTS - NA - 15 (3 times) - NA
REBS - NA - 5 (4 times) - NA
STLS - NA - 6 vs. Vir. Tech (12/19/95) NA
NOTES: Is currently academically ineligible.
#22 RASHMI HOUSTON (G, 5-9, Jr.)
- SEASON-HIGH CAREER-HIGH SEASON AVG
PTS - NA - NA - NA
REBS - NA - NA - NA
AST - NA - NA - NA
NOTES: Injured her knee before the season...will be looked at.
#31 BROOKE INGALLS (F, 6-0, Fr.)
- SEASON-HIGH - CAREER-HIGH SEASON AVG
PTS - 5 vs. T-A&M (11/29) Same - 1.8
REBS - 5 (Twice) - Same - 3.5
NOTES: Has seen limited action.
#11 KRISTEN POOL (G, 5-6, Fr.)
- SEASON-HIGH - CAREER-HIGH SEASON AVG
PTS - 12 vs. T-A&M (11/29) Same - 7.0
REBS - 6 @CSULB (11/23) Same - 2.3
AST - 10 @CSUF (11/21) Same - 3.5
NOTES: Started the first two games at the point this season...recorded a double-double (10 pts, 10 ast) at Cal State Fullerton.
#30 KEDONICA QUALLS (G, 5-6, Jr.)
- SEASON-HIGH - CAREER-HIGH SEASON AVG
PTS - 0 - Same - 0.0
REBS - 2 vs. T-A&M (11/29) Same - 0.8
AST - 3 vs. T-A&M (11/29) Same - 1.0
NOTES: Has seen limited action.
#40 TEKEIRA STRAMBLER (F, 5-11, Sr.)
- SEASON-HIGH - CAREER-HIGH - SEASON AVG
PTS - 4 @CSULB (11/23) 16 vs. Fairfield (12/19/96) 3.0
REBS - 3 @CSULB (11/23) 4 vs. TCU (2/27/97) - 1.5
NOTES: Did not see action at Cal State Fullerton and vs. Texas A&M.
#20 KAREN WEBSTER (G, 5-8, Jr.)
- SEASON-HIGH - CAREER-HIGH - SEASON AVG
PTS - 8 vs. La. Tech (11/28) 15 vs. SJSU (3/2/96) 4.0
REBS - 5 @CSULB (11/23) - 6 vs. CSULB (2/11/96) 2.0
ASTS - 3 vs. T-A&M (11/29) -7 vs. TCU (2/27/97) 1.5
NOTES: Has all four games this season...recorded a team-high 8 points with 2 three pointers vs. La. Tech.
#15 LIZ WOLFE (C, 6-3, Jr.)
- SEASON-HIGH - CAREER-HIGH - SEASON AVG
PTS - 5 vs. La. Tech (11/28) 16 vs. UCSB (12/30/96) 3.3
REBS - 8 vs. La. Tech (11/28) 14 vs. UCSB (12/30/96) 4.0
BLKS - 1 @CSUF (11/21) - 2 vs. SFA (12/20/96) 0.3
NOTES: Started the last two games at center.
#00 AMY WUNDERLICH (F, 6-0, Jr.)
- SEASON-HIGH - CAREER-HIGH - SEASON AVG
PTS - 12 vs. T-A&M (11/29) 20 vs. UCSB (2/9/96) 6.8
REBS - 9 vs. T-A&M (11/29) 12 @CSULB (1/12/96) 6.0
STLS - 3 vs. T-A&M (11/29) 3 (Six times) - 1.5
NOTES: Recorded 6 points and 6 rebounds in only 14 minutes at Long Beach State...had 12 points and nine rebounds in 25 minutes vs. Texas A&M.
