LSC BASKETBALL
The Lone Star Conference enters the back end of the schedule with Midwestern State and Incarnate Word tied atop the men’s standings, while there is a three-way tie between Abilene Christian, MSU and Tarleton State on the women’s side.
The Mustangs and Cardinals meet on Thursday with the winner taking over first-place in the men’s standings.
The LSC champion will be the regular season winner determined by conference games, while the postseason tournament winner is designated as LSC Tournament Champion and earns the league’s automatic berth into the NCAA Championship. The top eight teams in the final conference standings qualify for the postseason tournament set for March 6-9 in Allen, Texas.
The LSC men have a 98-77 overall record so far this season. In the NCAA South Central Region, the men’s teams are currently 14-15 combined versus Heartland Conference teams and 3-1 opposed to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
The LSC women are 93-97 overall. The women’s squads are currently 15-11 combined versus Heartland teams, and 5-1 against the RMAC, which are the other conferences in the NCAA South Central Region.
LSC BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Lone Star Conference officials revealed a new team spirit pass option as advance tickets are on sale now for the 2013 LSC Basketball Championship, set to be played March 6-9 at the Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas.
The pass, featuring modest pricing of $30 for adults and $20 for students, will cater to those fans whose primary interest is simply to follow their favorite team instead of attending all of the tournament’s seven sessions. Available only for purchase at member schools through Feb. 21, team spirit passes entitle the bearer to admission to all games (up to three) played by a men’s or women’s team from the school of choice.
Those wanting access to all seven sessions can purchase all-session tickets at a reduced rate of $45 through Feb. 27 at member schools. After the advance purchase deadline, the adult price moves to $60 for all-session tickets or $15 per session. Student prices will be $32 for all-session tickets or $10 by session.
Tickets are also available at the Allen Event Center Box Office or through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com). Another option available to fans is to enjoy the view from one of the Allen Event Center’s luxury suites. For information on suites, contact Mike Martin at MichaelMartin@allenamericans.com or (972) 912-1025.
This marks the second straight year for the LSC Basketball Championship to be played in Allen, with the tournament again featuring eight men’s and eight women’s teams. The format is set to change slightly this year, with all games being played in doubleheader sessions throughout the event. Every doubleheader session will consist of a women’s game followed by a men’s game, including Saturday night’s final session that features both the men’s and women’s championship games.
NCAA BASKETBALL STATISTICS (through games 01/24)
Men: West Texas A&M is second in the nation in scoring defense (56.5).
Men: WT’s Donald Sims is first in field-goal percentage (66.9).
Women: Tarleton State is third in field-goal percentage (47.4).
Women: Abilene Christian is second in three-point field-goal defense (22.1).
Women: Tarleton’s Kiara Wright is third in field-goal percentage (61.0) and fifth in double-doubles (11).
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
MEN’S OFFENSIVE
Denzel Livingston, University of the Incarnate Word, SO, Guard, Houston, Texas, Waltrip
Livingston led the Cardinals to a 2-0 week during Rivalry Week against Texas A&M-Kingsville. He came off the bench to score a season high 26 points and grab eight rebounds in a 74-71 road victory on Wednesday. He scored 10 points in the final 5:19 as the Cardinals came back from a four-point deficit to win. On Saturday, he had an all-around solid game with 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals in a 75-67 win. He averaged 20.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while shooting 71.4 percent from the field to keep the team in a tie for first place in the league.
MEN’S DEFENSIVE
Donald Sims, West Texas A&M University, SR, Forward, Chester, S.C., Chester
Sims continues to lead the Buffs as the senior averaged 13.0 points per game to go along with an impressive 11.5 boards per contest as West Texas A&M went 1-1 during the LSC’s Rivalry Week against Eastern New Mexico. The senior forward registered a double-double in both contests. The Chester, South Carolina native dominated the game on Wednesday night in Portales as he registered 10 points and 11 rebounds to go along with a career-high eight blocks. Sims followed that up with 16 points and 12 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season.
WOMEN’S OFFENSIVE
Kiara Wright, Tarleton State University, JR, Center, Pittsburg, Texas, Pittsburg HS
Wright has been a dominant force for Tarleton in the last two games, averaging 27.5 points per game last week in wins over Texas Woman’s and Texas A&M-Commerce. In a 34-point effort Wednesday against Texas Woman’s, Wright became the sixth player to record a 30-point game in Tarleton’s 18-year NCAA history - marking the 11th time it was done and the first time since 2001. She also tied a Tarleton NCAA record for field goal percentage in a 30-point game at .733 on 11-15 shooting. Her final two points also came with 14 seconds on the clock to give Tarleton the lead, and eventually the win. She followed up her incredible performance with a 21-point 13-rebound performance on the road at Commerce Saturday. For the week, she is averaging 27.5 points on .792 shooting and .739 shooting from the free throw line. She also had five assists for the week.
WOMEN’S DEFENSIVE
Ashlyn Green, University of the Incarnate Word, SR, Guard, Irving, Texas, Irving
Green powered the Cardinals to a sweep of Texas A&M-Kingsville during Rivalry Week. On Wednesday, she led the team with 13 points, seven rebounds and four steals in a 57-33 win. She played a key role in holding the Javelinas to 21.2 percent shooting from the floor and forcing 28 turnovers. She came back on Saturday with 20 points, six boards and five steals in a 63-47 win. She helped harass the Javelinas into 26 turnovers and shoot only 37.5 percent. She went 10-for-10 from the foul line during the week while averaging 16.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.5 steals per game.