LSC Roundup 12-2

Football News
Kanza Bowl includes service and learning opportunities for WTAMU
For West Texas A&M, the first-ever Lower Kanza Bowl is more than just a football game.

Prior to the game against Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday, December 5, WTAMU will participate in a full itinerary of events including service and learning activities.

"We are excited that West Texas A&M is participating in this Division II bowl game," said Stan Wagnon, Lone Star Conference Commissioner. "And that they will take part in service and learning activities, which are both Division II attributes of the student-athlete experience."

The Buffs, who won a share of the LSC South Division title after ending the regular season with a five-game winning streak, are scheduled to arrive on Thursday and check into the Topeka Ramada Inn and Convention Center, which will serve as team headquarters.

After breakfast on Friday, WTAMU will spend the morning in the Topeka community starting with a stop at the Brown v. Board of Education Museum. The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which challenged the constitutionality of racial segregation in public schools, is one of the most pivotal opinions ever rendered by that body.

Next up for the Buffs is the 32nd annual Festival of Trees, the signature event for Sheltered Living, which supports people with disabilities to achieve independence and actively participate in the community. The festival features approximately 60 trees and wreaths in Festival Park designed by Civic organizations, schools, businesses and individuals.

Before lunch, WTAMU will spend time at the Easter Seals Capper Foundation. Founded in 1920, the foundation's mission is to enhance the independence of people with disabilities, primarily children.

After a final team practice/walkthrough, the Buffs will spend the evening at the Capital Journal Kanza Bowl Banquet held at the Ramada.

Saturday's festivities start at 9 a.m. with a pregame tailgating party to include food, fun and games. WTAMU will arrive at Hummer Sports Park via police escort at 10:45 a.m. to prepare for the game, which kicks off at 1 p.m.

Volleyball News
WT standouts Prinsen, Harper Rickwartz earn AVCA honors
Three West Texas A&M Lady Buffs seniors earned American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America honors, the organization announced Tuesday, including a first-team nod for right-side hitter Laura Prinsen.

Prinsen now made the All-America first team twice in as many seasons, while setter Katie Rickwartz and middle blocker Melissa Harper earned second-team honors.

Soccer News
Miller Earns All-America Honors
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Dec. 1) – Alli Miller became just the fifth soccer All-American in Central Oklahoma history Tuesday when the senior star was named a third-team pick on the Daktronics, Inc. NCAA Division II All-America Team.

A fullback from Norman, Miller was one of the top defenders in the country throughout her career and in particular during the 2009 season when she spearheaded a defensive unit that recorded 13 shutouts and allowed 20 goals in 23 games. Miller played in every game (92) with 89 starts at UCO and was a four-time first-team All-LSC selection, collecting league Defensive Player of the Year recognition the last two years. She also earned first-team All-South Central Region honors the past two years.

Miller joins Carmen Davis (2007), Melissa Terry (2006), Lindsey Hull (2005) and Stephanie Gulisao (2004) as UCO soccer All-Americans.

Click here for the complete team.

Lindsay McHorse of West Texas A&M was named to the second team, while Kelly Skehan also of West Texas A&M was named an honorable mention.

Miller, McHorse and Skehan were joined by Megan Lasley of Texas A&M-Commerce and Kari Bristow of Midwestern State on the South Central Regional team.

Men's Basketball News
NABC Division II Poll
Number 23 Midwestern State is the sole LSC team in the top 25, but Tarleton State and Texas A&M-Commerce are among teams receiving votes. Other South Central Region teams include #2 Central Missouri, #7 Southwest Baptist, and (receiving votes) Fort Hays State.

Texans fall at home to UCO
The Tarleton Texans watched a 12-point lead dissipate on Tuesday night in the first Lone Star Conference crossover game of the season as the Texans lost to Central Oklahoma, 76-72.

Comeback Win
Chris Rhymes made three clutch free throws in the final nine seconds and Eric Cazenave came up with yet another big play at the end against Tarleton State to lift Central Oklahoma to a thrilling 76-72 victory over the Texans here Tuesday night.

Avery, Allen fuel ECU over Rhema
The senior tandem of Darren Avery and Eric Allen combined for 41 points and junior Dontae Figgs added 19 as the East Central University Tigers rolled to a 104-72 victory over Rhema Bible College Tuesday night at the Ninowski Center.

Women's Basketball News
MSU women rout St. Edward's, 68-42
Midwestern State women’s coach Noel Johnson wouldn’t say what birthday she was celebrating Tuesday night, she was just happy the Mustangs gave her something worth celebrating. MSU gained control with a 19-9 run in the first half and then blew out the visiting Hilltoppers in the second half for a 68-42 win over St. Edward’s in front of 277 fans in D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

The win ends a three-game slide for the Mustangs (2-3), while the Hilltoppers are 0-6 for the season — all against Lone Star Conference teams. MSU returns to action Thursday night with a 6 p.m. LSC crossover game against Central Oklahoma.

“This was awesome,” said Johnson, who would only admit she hadn’t hit 40 yet. “St. Edward’s is a good program and I thought we did a good job attacking them. We did a good job on defense helping each other out and talking through screens. We’ve told the girls we have to be aggressive and attack and they’ve responded and worked hard to get through it. We have to carry this over on Thursday.”
Related: W. Basketball: Mustangs kick Hilltoppers to halt skid, 68-42

TexAnns roll to 30-point upset over UCO, 85-55
The Tarleton TexAnns held No. 19-ranked Central Oklahoma to just .224 percent shooting from the field and opened Lone Star Conference crossover action with an 85-55 upset victory over the visiting Bronchos at Wisdom Gym on Tuesday.

Big Loss
Cold-shooting Central Oklahoma never recovered after falling in a big hole in the opening minutes and unbeaten Tarleton State went on to hand the No. 19-ranked Bronchos a stunning 85-55 setback here Tuesday night.

Lady Tigers ground Lady Eagles, 96-60
East Central University placed six players in double figures as Danielle Cox and Casi Rawls scored 14 apiece in a 96-60 rout of Oklahoma Wesleyan Tuesday night in the Lady Tigers' home opener at the Kerr Activities Center.

Recruiting News
UCO women's basketball adds two
Central Oklahoma women’s basketball coach Guy Hardaker recently inked two state standouts to letters-of-intent during the early signing period.

Set to join the Bronchos for the 2010-11 season is Kylie Mayes of Carl Albert High School in Midwest City and Paiten Taylor of Hulbert High School.

The 6-foot-2 Mayes is in her fourth year as a starter with the Titans. She was the Suburban Conference Newcomer of the Year as a freshman and a first-team All-Conference selection the last two years in leading Carl Albert to back-to-back state tournament appearances.

A two-time Conference MVP, the 6-foot Taylor averaged 25.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 7.7 blocks and 5.3 steals a game last year. She’s also a three-time All-Conference performer in volleyball and a state champion high jumper.

“Kylie and Paiten are two fantastic players who both have a chance to come in and really help us next year,” Hardaker said. “We’re excited about them becoming a part of our UCO family and look forward to having them in the program.”

Bethany Friesenhahn signs with Texas A&M-Kingsville
In addition to a state volleyball championship, Poth High School senior Bethany Friesenhahn has another good reason to celebrate these days. The gifted athlete recently signed her letter of intent to Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where she will have the opportunity to continue playing volleyball. Friesenhahn, a quiet and reserved young woman, did express her feelings about the opportunity she is receiving from A&M-Kingsville.

“Oh yeah, I’m excited,” she said, “very excited.”

There was a short list of other schools she considered, including Trinity University in San Antonio, but throughout the process, Friesenhahn said she just kept going back to A&M-Kingsville.

Goodwin signs top pair for 2010-2011
LAWTON, Oklahoma (December 1) – Cameron University head women’s golf coach Rick Goodwin recently signed two new high-caliber players for the 2010-2011 season. Lindsey Alexander from Southlake, Texas and Aleesha Holden from Fletcher, Oklahoma are the newest additions to the five year old Aggie women’s golf program. Alexander is the daughter of Steve and Tonda Alexander, while Holden is the daughter of Steve and Shelly Holden.