<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

The UNA women’s basketball team began their 2010-2011 season Nov.

11 on the road against Alabama A&M in an exhibition match. 

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

The regular season will begin for the Lions Nov. 18-19 when UNA

travels to Arkadelphia, Ark. to play conference opponents Henderson

State and Ouachita Baptist. 

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

“We set out a goal this summer and in the fall and we are expecting

to get into the NCAA Tournament,” Head Coach Terry Fowler said. “We

want to win the eastern division and we feel if we can do it, that

will qualify us for the NCAA Tournament.”

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

The Lions play in a highly competitive Gulf South Conference

division that features many tough opponents that UNA must face. The

Lions will also play some difficult non-conference games as

well.

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

“Our league is so tough,” said Fowler. “We’ve got the No.1 and No.

2 teams in the country. Arkansas Tech is No.1, Delta State is No. 2

and Valdosta is really good. A good non-conference opponent is

Southern Indiana, who was a NCAA region team last year. Our

schedule is really loaded.”

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

Since there are several tough teams that UNA will face this season,

the Lions must do everything they can to stay prepared for the road

ahead.

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

 “We have to do three things: number one, we have to stay healthy,

number two, we have to play together and stay together, and the

third thing that I think is important for this group is that we get

off to a quick start,” said Fowler. 

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

“If we can come out of the gate 2-0, 3-0, or 4-0, if we get through

the Delta State and Arkansas Tech part of our schedule, I think

that would be big. Those three or four wins would give us the

confidence going into those games.”

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

The team has proven its capabilities previously, especially after

beating the University of Alabama in an exhibition game last

season. All but two members of the UNA women’s basketball team that

were present in a recent interview listed this as their greatest

sports memory. 

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

“I wouldn’t trade that moment for anything, and not for me, but for

the excitement that was in that locker room after the game,” said

Fowler. “That was unbelievable. I could have ended my career right

there just to see those faces.” 

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

The only two who did not list that moment were UNA’s newest

players, Jazmine Saxton and Nichelle Fillmore, who both came from

Fairfield High School and will play their first college season this

year.  

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

Coach Fowler said that he tries to focus on the task at hand when a

game is about to start.

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

“I try to foresee some situations that might occur in the game,”

said Fowler. “I’m thinking about how we are going to start out. I’m

thinking about late game situations, just trying to play things out

and hopefully have a déjà-vu moment and think OK, I’ve already seen

this, so this is what we’re going to do.” 

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

He also mentioned what UNA women’s basketball means to him. 

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

“UNA is passion, it’s teamwork, it’s togetherness, it’s commitment,

it’s community and it’s academics. That’s what we stress in our

program,” said Fowler.

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

Coach Fowler revealed that he gives a last bit of encouragement to

his players before they run out onto the court.

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

“[I tell them] play as hard as you can play, give it your best, and

know that when you come back in this locker room you didn’t short

change your teammates, the fans or yourself, so you can look in a

mirror and say ‘I gave my all tonight,’” said Fowler. 

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

UNA students who are fans of basketball are also encouraged by the

veteran coach to watch the women’s basketball team.  

<p style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14px; margin: 0px; font: 10px Times;”>

“If you want to come see a team that plays hard, that plays

together and is exciting, come watch UNA women’s basketball,” said

Fowler. “It’s a more fundamental type game and you won’t be

disappointed if you come see us play.”