SPORTS ANALYSIS: Women's basketball hurting
This week was a relatively inactive one for the women's basketball team. It was a chance for the players to catch their breath and begin to heal. And for the rest of us, it was a chance to sit back and reflect on the season to date.
The season started in much the same manner as the 1995 football season, with a blowout victory against the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. And as with the football team, expectations deflated somewhat as the season continued.
Overall, the Owls have proved to be a team that can compete with virtually any team when they click, leaving one to wonder what might have been if not for injuries.
Before the season, senior guard Tonya Green and sophomore guard Taonica Ledet were lost for the year. Then sophomore Angelica Smith, who had a team leading 18.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, suffered stress fractures in both legs, putting her out for the rest of the season. Sophomore forward Lisa Escobedo, who had been averaging 13 minutes per game, followed with a similar injury.
And in a game against Texas Christian University, freshman Charonda Wilson became the team's latest casualty, breaking a collarbone. Wilson will also be out for the rest of the season.
Even without additional injuries, the Owls will have only nine players available for the remainder of the schedule.
The rash of injuries has led to 12 starting lineups in the Owls' 17 games, which has contributed to uneven play.
Has anything gone right for the women's basketball team this year?
Certainly. Smith played beyond most expectations, boding well for next year's team.
The contributions of the newcomers have surpassed most expectations as well.
Jennifer Hamilton has proved to be a force in the pivot. She averages 10 points and 20 minutes per game.
Also taking up room in the center is Debi Williams, who tied a school record with six blocks against the University of Houston.
Wilson was second on the team in assists and first on the team in steals before her injuries, and Suzanne Koy is averaging 10 minutes per game, with her performance growing stronger each game.
The seniors in particular have picked up the extra load. Tammy McCallum has made a double-double nearly routine in recent weeks, while Stephanie Mundschau had career highs of 20 points and 11 rebounds in the 51-point blowout of TCU.
Kim LaLonde has been the emotional center of the team, leading the squad in minutes and starting every game.
Next year, four new perimeter players will join the squad, members of what is considered by many to be the best recruiting class ever signed by Rice.
It's not time to look ahead to next year just yet, however. The Owls return home to play Houston on Feb. 10 after road games against the University of Texas, who escaped Autry Court with a two-point victory during the winter break, as well as top-10 team Texas Tech University.
This item appeared in the Sports section of the February 2, 1996 issue.
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