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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 23, 1997)
in 502 y £****§ The Battalion % p l : I ' J 11 1 Page 7 Thursday • january 23, 1997 ident Assi ting todi eld at 7 p, r or more ' at 260-1- Hawks overpower Aggies twice in one night >n service nt and fat Items sir: er than tl ie desirec dlinesaitt md will no: you have Batt Onlirs nts are ibination lonor stair heat,orsti ewhodon i" or busint > believes: ; other sit ist words )W this!! as for pit cheating. !dit when .ady Aggies fall to No. 15 Kansas, 79-63 By Dennis Ramirez and Lara L. Zuehlke The Battalion The Texas A&M Women’s Basketball Team came p short on its quest for a second conference win the newsfAgainst No. 15 Kansas University with a 79-63 loss mplete lisi lefore 2,373 at G. Rollie White Coliseum. The Lady Ags fell to 7-9, 1-5 in conference lay, and the Lady Jayhawks proved why they are the top 25 as they cruised to 13-3 overall and 1 in the Big 12. After a strong first half, which found the i I suppoAady Ags pulling within one point of the heav- leedsaid ly favored Kansas squad, A&M failed to exe- uld non :ute in the second half. oal oftlii “Everything was clicking in the first half,” \&M Head Coach Candi Harvey said. “The oposal tii inly thing 1 wasn’t pleased with was rebound- ng. In the second half, I thought rebounding ik it shoiiwas the difference. We failed to make the open shots and we started rushing midway through the second half.” While shooting 47 percent (16-34) in the first half, the Lady Ags broke down and shot 23 per cent (8-35) in the second half. This provided the Jayhawks with an open forum to make key runs and take control of the momentum factor. Jayhawk senior guard Tamecka Dixon ran rampant over the Aggie defense and racked up a game-high 29 points. More importantly with 7:13 left in the second half and the Lady Aggies down by only six, Dixon managed to strip away any hopes of an upset. “It was obviously theTamecka Dixon show in the second half and the only way to stop her was to get her off the floor,” Harvey said. “By not getting the fifth foul on her, she was able to create a different game when she was on the floor.” Height was another factor the Lady Aggies had to battle. A&M junior center Kim Linder, who recorded a career-high 18 points, said the Jayhawks used their height and speed to their advantage. “We haven’t seen anyone that is tall and ath letic,” Linder said. “We’re usually the shorter team but we are the quicker team. Tonight, they were just as fast as us, stronger, had quickness and had great jumping ability.” This game marked a milestone for senior guard Lana Tucker, who reached the 1,000-point mark and became only the 12th player in school history to accomplish this feat. Tucker faced another feat with guarding the prolific Dixon, which proved to be more difficult than getting the 16 points she needed to add her name to the history books. “She (Dixon) is very quick and a great ath lete,” Tucker said. “She is hard to guard be cause she will shoot over you or if you step up to guard her, she has the ability to drive right past you. She is their go-to player and is what makes the team go.” Besides the fact that the Lady Ags found themselves on the short end of the stick for the ninth time this season, Harvey stands by the team and said they are knocking on the door of a winning season. “Tonight, we faced a very athletic team that is very well coached,” Harvey said. “Like I have said before, we are right there and we need to elevate our game. “This includes playing through runs and making a run back ourselves and we also need to quit giving them second chance points. I know everybody is tired of hearing it but we are right there, we just need to get smarter and learn how to finish.” Stew Milne, The Battalion Senior guard Lana Tucker goes up for her 1,000 career point, which was also the last point in the game in a loss to Kansas. Kansas hands Aggies eighth consecutive loss, 89-60 Staff and Wire Reports LAWRENCE, KAN. — The Texas A&M Men’s Basket ball Team got its first taste of big time basketball last night when they travelled to Lawrence, Kan., to take on the nation’s top-ranked team, the Kansas Jayhawks. The Aggies lost their eighth game in a row, 89-60 in front of 16,300 at Allen Fieldhouse. A&M Head Coach Tony Barone said Kansas’ stifling defense was key in the game. “They are relentless in their attack,” Barone said. “They play aggressive the whole time, it’s just a way of life with them. They play hard the whole 40 minutes and just pound you.” This was the first time the Aggies have played the No. 1 team since 1971, when A&M lost to UCLA 117-53 in Los Angeles. Sophomore Calvin Davis said the Jayhawks dished out what the Aggies were expecting. “It’s exactly as we thought it would be,” Davis said. “They’re beatable, but it’s hard to say what it’s going to take a team to accomplish that.” Freshman Brian Barone said that a win would have taken 100-percent effort from everyone on the team. “You have to keep your composure up at all times, and you can’t get behind early or it’s all over,” Barone said. Davis led all Aggie scorers with 17 points and Kansas’ Paul Pierce led all scorers with 19. The Aggies held Jacque Vaughn to only seven points. Kansas Head Coach Roy Williams said A&M’s zone defense was a factor leading to the teams 46 percent field-goal percentage. "We didn’t shoot as well as I would have liked,” Williams said. “We didn’t have the shot selection. There at the end of the first half, we took some crazy shots but we got the shots that we wanted at the beginning of the second half.” r with tit o learn it lee Cettfffi lOWt jomedical 3 t then# d /’role * \erfot® Ranger off-season Rangers fill void of free-agent exodus with farm system players e 1 Baldai jssor | studied; -as, a bo:! ‘ chilli nondta 1 - ion o^' ted 5 p t: opulatit g from- 1 e Midwt qdstatf irveyl on,*;;, worked ier e s e J .jsnoud .them been' ncreas" tjie m 1 paras'" Jeresaj \h [ ‘'t: |dan fsJ . fertile eV'l grad'" , res 6 " J rn° sl ds-’SI By Jamie Burch The Battalion For the first time in the team’s 25- year history, the Texas Rangers ad vanced to the post-season. The de fending American League West champions are now trying to repeat last season's success. In doing so, Rangers’ management has spent the off-season trying to shore up some weaknesses on both sides of the ball. The Rangers’ bullpen stands at the top of the list. The relief spent much of last season on life support. Leading the league in blown saves, the Rangers lost nine games they led entering the ninth inning. The relievers were 15-25, the fewest wins of any bullpen. The relief corps, with an ERA of 4.32, convert ed just 43 of 60 save opportunities. Amy Dunlap, The Battalion Kris Carothers, a freshman mechanical engineering major, hands his Rangers pennant to outfielder Rusty Greer to autograph. In an attempt to stop the bleed ing, Ranger management acquired World Series MVP John Wetteland, who was 2-3 with a 2.83 ERA and 43 saves last season, as a free agent from the New York Yankees. Wette- land, who struck out 69 batters in 63.2 innings, will replace last sea son’s closer Mike Henneman (0-7, 5.79 ERA, 31 saves). Ranger General Manager Doug Melvin said Wette- land’s acquisition puts the Rangers one step closer to the championship. “We felt that adding John to our club not only filled a hole,” Melvin said, “but it brings some stature and a championship presence to the ball club. He’s been in the post-season the last few years with the Yankees. “When you add that kind of player, it sends a message that we want to continue to compete and that it’s not just a one-year success story for the Texas Rangers.” Outfielder Rusty Greer said sign- “You don't have to watch the runners close when you have him (Ro driguez) behind the plate.” Darren Oliver Rangers pitcher ing Wetteland shows the organiza tion’s desire to win. “It shows a big commitment on the Rangers’ part,” Greer said. “Ob viously, it helps us as a ballclub. But we still have to have the lead in the ninth inning for him to do his job.” The front office also added some new faces to the middle relief. Righthander Xavier Hernandez, who was 5-5 with a 4.22 ERA last year, was obtained from the Houston Astros to replace depth lost to free agency with the departures of Mike Stanton and Dennis Cook. The Rangers also picked up right-hander Cory Bai ley, who was 7-6 with a 4.05 ERA last season, from the Cincinnati Reds’ farm system. Melvin said he expects the latest additions to the bullpen to help with last season’s shortcomings. See Rangers, Page 8 run 1 , fr<' 4 °> ■ ; S J >: : fr» iiw, ,ffec ts MSC Cepheid Variable Presents FREE! TONIGHT! 7:00 p.m. MSC 201 Free Screening, Door Prizes, and Previews! Persons with disabilities should call us at 845-151 5 a minimum of three (3) working days prior to the event in inform us of their special needs. Do You Have Panic Attacks? Freedom Research, Inc. is seeking volunteers for a 12-week research study of an investigational medication for panic disorder. You must be 18-65 years old in good health. Ydu may be paid up to $200 for your particpation in the study. For more information call: 229-0049 OOANTOM COW TUTORING :2fc0-C0WS Univ. Dr. next to CD Warehouse. 2-1 Opm SutvThu, $3.5Q/hr for 4 re views/test! ORGANIC 3 SMALL GROUP & INDIVIDUAL TUTORING! REVIEW SCHEDULE: £ Thu. Sun. Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. 1/23 227; 8-10pm Practice Quizzes, Crow & Harding 1/26 1/27 1/28 1/29 1/30 228: 8-10pm Ch.12,13 Overview 228: 6-8 pm Quiz 1, O’Br. & 227: 8-10pm Ch.1,2 227: 8-10pm Ch.3 t 4 227: 6-8pm Old Crow Tests & 222; 8-10 pm 227: 6-Spm Old Crow Teste ALSO NEXT WEEK; PLEASE CALL FOR SCHEDULES! CNfcMXSTRY 101/102; PHYSICS 201 NOTES/lABS/BOPS/TtSTS' CHEMISTRYeHYSICSeiOLOGYyPSYCHOLOGY SOaOLOGYASEOLOGY/ACCOUNTINGMATH From one of the oldest teams in the league, to one of the youngest By Jeremy Furtick The Battalion The 1996 American League Western Division champion Texas Rangers filled some vacant positions in its lineup by dip ping into the fountain of youth this winter. The Rangers, whose average age ranked among the oldest in the league last season, will open the 1997 with a younger look. The Rangers’ starting lineup will miss the presence of standout lead- off man and center fielder Darryl Hamilton, who finished with a .293 batting average, 94 runs and 15 stolen bases last season. Hamilton did not commit an error last season and compiled the highest first-in ning on-base percentage in the American League. However, Hamilton was consid ered expendable as the Rangers searched for a closer to patch their biggest wound. Filling the gap in The Ballpark in Arlington’s vast center field will be 26-year-old reserve outfielder Da mon Buford, who had a .283 bat- Amy Dunlap, The Battalion Outfielder Rusty Greer signs junior Ben Young's jersey Tuesday. ting average, 30 runs and eight stolen bases last season. General Manager Doug Melvin said he is not concerned with Bu ford’s lack of starting experience. See Youth, Page 8 Do You Worry Too Much? Dr. Steven Strawn is seeking volunteers for a 2 month research study of an investigational medication for anxiety. You will be paid $100 for your study participation. For more information call: 229-0049 AGGIE WRANGLERS AN AGGIE TRADITION FOR TWELVE YEARS DANCE LESSONS CLASS TIME DAY ROOM JITTERBUG 4-5:30 SUNDAY GRW 266 COUNTRY & WESTERN I 6-7:30 SUNDAY GRW 266 ADVANCED JITTERBUG 8-9:30 SUNDAY GRW 266 COUNTRY & WESTERN I 6-7:30 WEDNESDAY GRW 255 JITTERBUG 8-9:30 WEDNESDAY GRW 255 COUNTRY & WESTERN II 6-7:30 THURSDAY GRW 255 C&W CLASSES RUN 5 WEEKS, JITTERBUGS RUN 4 WEEKS YOU MUST SIGN UP AS A COUPLE CLASSES START FEBRUARY 2 ? ^ f >.. u -V ■ a .. T v2x, f ^ ^ U&kC ' M ***$ * SIGN UPS IN THE MSC FLAGROOM 8:00 A.M. JANUARY 27 ADVANCED JITTERBUG COSTS $40 PER COUPLE, ALL OTHERS $30 FMI CALL JAMES @ 693-4573