 "Photo: Peter Franklin")
Based on their 10-2 record at the Erwin Center, the women's basketball team has proven there's no place like home.
If only they had a pair of red slippers in their last two games.
Texas (16-10, 4-8 Big 12) is coming off of back-to-back losses on the road to Colorado and No. 16 Oklahoma State. The Longhorns head back to the comfort of the Erwin Center for a showdown with No. 19 Texas A&M (19-7, 7-5).
The Longhorns are likely looking for a better showing than the 66-57 loss the Aggies handed them earlier this season.
Texas fell into a 39-22 hole at halftime, but made a valiant effort to get within four near the end. Star A&M guard Takia Starks was plagued with the flu during the game, but still scored 13 points. Guard Danielle Gant was a thorn in Texas' side throughout the game, scoring 25.
Not only will Texas have to find an answer for Gant, but they'll also have to take on the challenge of a healthy Starks. The junior guard averages 17.1 points per game.
"She's the one that really makes them go," Texas coach Gail Goestenkors said. "We can't let her have an All-American night."
Senior guard Erneisha Bailey, the only senior on the team, will likely get the challenge of guarding Starks.
Bailey, a 5-foot-9-inch guard, may not be having the offensive season that the coaches were hoping for, but she's always been the go-to defensive stopper. Perhaps Bailey's attributes are the ones that don't show up on the stat sheet.
"We've asked her to become more of a leader for us," Goestenkors said. "She needs to be more of an offensive threat. She's very consistent at rebounding and defense, and those are the two things she can control. We need her to be more than just a defensive role player to be successful."
Every game from here on out is a must-win for Texas. After A&M, they have two more games on the road in Oklahoma and Kansas and one more at home against Texas Tech.
It's been quite a swing of momentum in one week's time. Last week at this time, the Longhorns were celebrating a 61-51 win over No. 8 Baylor that served as big win for their tournament resume.
"This year's been a roller coaster for us," Texas coach Gail Goestenkors said. "Every experience is a learning opportunity. I feel like each game is always evenly matched and I love that you're challenged every single game."
While the postseason picture is still fuzzy, it will become a lot clearer if Texas falls on Sunday.
"We've shown [the players] what kind of wins get you to the tournament and how to finish the season out," Goestenkors said. "But, it's one of those things that's hard for them to know until they've gone there, and only one of them has."
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