January 29, 2009
San Antonio – Farren Fox came off the bench to score 12 of her 14 points in the second half, helping 25th-ranked St. Mary’s University to a come-from-behind 57-48 win over the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in Heartland Conference women’s basketball action Thursday night at the Falcon Dome. The Rattler men scored 50 second half points to roll past UTPB, 84-65.
UTPB took advantage of hot shooting in the first half to lead 28-24 at the break. But after hitting on 65.1 percent of their shots in the first half, the Falcons made just 38.1 percent in the second half and scored only 20 second half points. That allowed the Rattlers, with Fox (Jr., Marble Falls) leading the way, to rally in the second period. St. Mary’s went on a 15-2 run midway through the second half to turn an eight-point UTPB lead into a five-point advantage at 45-40 with just 6:08 left to play. UTPB never led again in the game. Down the stretch Natalie Gamez (Sr., San Antonio) made all six of her free throws to keep the game out of reach. The Rattlers outrebounded the Falcons 43-25 in the game.
With the win the Rattlers have now won six straight games and improved to 17-2 overall and 6-0 in Heartland Conference play this season. UTPB fell to 4-13, 2-4. St. Mary’s will return to action on Saturday when they travel to Goodwell, Okla., to face Oklahoma Panhandle State University in a women’s/men’s doubleheader, starting at 2 p.m.
In the men’s game, St. Mary’s blew open a tie game at the half with 50 second half points. Nick Morey (Sr., Belpre, Ohio) led the way with 23 points and eight rebounds. In the second half the Rattlers hit on 59.4 percent (19-32) of their shots from the field, while holding the Falcons to just 33.3 percent (10-30). Four Rattlers scored in double figures in the game, with Curtis Mitchell (Jr., Milwaukee, Wis.) scoring 13 points, while Luis Moreira (Jr., Brasilia, Brazil) and Darren Lee (Jr., Stockton, Calif.) added 10 points each.
With the win the Rattlers are now 9-9 overall and 4-3 in Heartland Conference play. UTPB fell to 7-11, 3-4. The Rattlers will also play on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Oklahoma Panhandle State.