Sports

UAA women push record to 10-0 with blowout

The third-ranked UAA women's basketball team remained undefeated Friday night with a 90-49 win over Texas A&M Kingsville in the Seawolf Hoops Classic.

The Seawolves extended their record to 10-0, and if they can win their next two games, they'll match the best start in program history. The 2006-07 team started 12-0 and wound up 23-6 with a runnerup finish in the West Region tournament.

UAA put up some huge numbers and got significant contributions from all 11 players. Everyone played at least 14 minutes and no one played more than 24 in the 40-minute game at the Alaska Airlines Center.

Kiki Robertson handed out assists on 14 of UAA's 34 baskets, one assist shy of the school record she tied earlier this season with 15. Megan Mullings poured in a career-high 20 points to go with eight rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Leah Bonner contributed 12 points and eight steals, Jenna Buchanan hit five of six from 3-point territory for 17 points, and Jessica Madison hit half of her 12 shots for 15 points.

UAA forced 34 turnovers, owned a 41-29 rebounding advantage and took 73 shots to Kingsville's 39. All very good, but coach Ryan McCarthy thinks his club can get even better.

"We haven't peaked yet," he said, "and that's definitely what you want as a basketball team, to be peaking in March and not December."

Kingsville (0-8), a Division II team that plays in the Lone Star Conference, trailed 21-15 with 12 minutes, 27 seconds left in the first half. McCarthy called a 30-second timeout and when play resumed the Seawolves took command with a 13-0 run.

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From there, the lead got bigger and bigger. The Seawolves led 58-26 at the half and then scored the first 10 points of the second half.

"We just try to make sure we stick to our fundamental principles," McCarthy said of his team's mindset once a game becomes a blowout.

The 14 assists marked the fourth time that Robertson, a sophomore from Honolulu, reached double figures in assists. Only three others Seawolves have had four games with 10 or more assists -- Diane Dobrich (1986-90), Allegra Stoetzel (1992-96) and Sasha King (2010-13).

"She sees the game at a different speed," McCarthy said.

The Javelinas (0-8) were led by 11 points and six rebounds from reserve guard Micah Weaver.

The four-team tournament concludes Saturday. Kingsville will play UAF at 5 p.m, and UAA meets Pacific University of Oregon at 7 p.m.

UAA 90, Kingsville 49

TEXAS A&M KINGSVILLE (49) -- Jay 1-1 1-2 3, Bauer 1-4 2-2 5, Wagner 1-6 5-6 8, Viera 0-1 0-0 0, Robertson 2-6 4-6 8, Weaver 5-12 1-2 11, Ramirez 2-5 2-4 6, Copeland 0-0 0-0 0, Milde 2-2 1-1 5, Ibrahim 0-1 0-0 0, Rodriguez 0-0 1-2 1, Ortiz 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 15-39 17-25 49.

UAA (90) -- Mullings 9-13 2-2 20, Bonner 4-5 4-5 12, A. Madison 4-9 0-0 8, Buchanan 6-7 0-0 17, Robertson 1-3 0-0 2, Dent 1-7 1-2 5, Wright 1-5 4-4 6, Nelson 1-4 2-2 5, Devine 1-5 0-0 2, Afoa 0-3 0-0 0, J. Madison 6-12 0-0 15. Totals 34-73 13-15 90.

Kingsville 26 23 -- 49

UAA 58 32 -- 90

3-point goals -- Kingsville 2-6 (Bauer 1-3, Wagner 1-2, Ramirez 0-1), UAA 9-22 (Bonner 0-1, A. Madison 0-1, Buchanan 5-6, Dent 0-3, Nelson 1-2, Devine 0-1, J. Madison 3-8). Rebounds -- Kingsville 29 (Weaver 6), UAA 41 (Mullings 8). Total fouls -- Kingsville 16, UAA 20. Fouled out -- none. Assists -- Kingsville 9 (Wagner 2, Weaver 2), UAA 27 (Robertson 14). Turnovers -- Kingsville 34 (Wagner 6), UAA 17 (Dent 4, Nelson 4). Blocks -- Kingsville 6 (Jay 2, Ortiz 2), UAA 3 (Mullings 2). Steals -- Kingsville 7 (Ramirez 2), UAA 23 (Bonner 8). A -- 894. Officials -- Leitch, Floyd, McCourt.

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