UT men’s and women’s basketball teams both got their seasons started this week with predictably impressive results. The boys roughed up Navy 83-52 and are hosting Louisiana Tech Wednesday night as we go to press. The women’s team started its season with an exhibition match against Trinity and won handily, 132-38. UT’s starting five were Ashleigh Fontenette, Yvonne Anderson, Chassidy Fussell, Kathleen Nash, and Ashley Gayle, but freshman Anne Marie Hartung stole the spotlight, coming off the bench for a double-double (26 points, 13 rebounds). Nash and Fussell added 21 points each with Nash shooting 5-for-7 from 3-point territory, and Fontenette adding 10 assists. Look for senior guard Kat Nash to lead the way for the Horns this year. Her résumé includes a No. 3 ranking in 3-point percentage in the nation last year (her .473 mark is a UT single-season record); reaching the 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 150 3-pointers plateau faster than any UT player ever (and only the second ever to do it); and she’s an academic leader as well, due to graduate in May with a degree in finance and an impeccable grade point average.
The men won’t play at home again until Tue., Nov. 23, when they host Sam Houston State, but the ladies have two games at the Drum this week. Vs. Mississippi Valley State: Fri., Nov. 12, 7pm. Vs. Northwestern State: Tue., Nov. 16, 7pm. Erwin Center, 1701 Red River. $8-16. www.texassports.com.
This article appears in November 12 • 2010.