November 24, 2009
San Antonio – Kristen Williams scored 15 points and pulled down 14 rebounds to lead St. Mary’s University to a convincing 66-56 victory over the University of Arkansas-Monticello in non-conference women’s basketball action Tuesday night at Bill Greehey Arena.
Williams (Jr., Kansas City, Mo.) made 6-of-14 shots from the field for a game-high 15 points, but it was her work on the boards that made the biggest difference as she had just 13 rebounds less than the entire Monticello squad. As a team, the Rattlers outrebounded the Cotton Blossoms 45-27, including 19 offensive rebounds.
After taking a two-point lead at the half, the Rattlers had to hold off the Cotton Blossoms early on in the second half. Erika Brown gave UAM its only lead of the second half, when she converted a three-point play with 8:38 left to play, making the score 46-45. However, the Rattlers bounced right back and went on a 10-0 run, keyed by four points each from Nicole James (So., Indianapolis, Ind.) and Williams. That would seal the win for the Rattlers, who never led by less than five points the rest of the way.
Three Rattlers scored in double figures in the game, with Mareta Bailey (Jr., Grand Prairie, Texas) picked up 14 points and eight rebounds, while James contributing 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
With the win, the Rattlers improved to 3-1 overall, while UAM fell to 1-2. St. Mary’s will return to action on Friday when they travel to Canyon, Texas, to face nationally ranked West Texas A&M University at 6 p.m.
11/24/09 5:30 p.m. at Bill Greehey Arena, San Antonio, TX
At Bill Greehey Arena, San Antonio, TX
St. Mary’s (Texas) 66, Arkansas-Monticello 56