First, I'd like to mention (again) that this Saturday's home basketball games will also be opportunities to participate in Todd's Teddy Bear Drive. I know you've heard about this effort to gather teddy bears to give to children who've been stricken with cancer. This effort is being cosponsored by SU Student Senate, Student Activities Board and Campus Ministries as well as SU Basketball. We will be collecting bears at the games as well as at lunchtime all week in the Dining Hall. Saturday's women's game will also be "Think Pink" day to create additional awareness for cancer victims and survivors.

As for the sports update, here's a quick look back and then the schedule for the next week:

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: had two hard-luck losses to UMHB, 69-71, and at Concordia, 67-73. In both games, SU battled back in the second half and took each game into the closing moments before falling. Two Lady Crusader free throws with 10 seconds remaining were the difference in that game. Junior Monica Enriquez had a big week averaging 19 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals each night. Freshman Anna Fareed averaged 17 points last week.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: lost vs. #15 Mary Hardin-Baylor (67-77) and at Concordia (75-94). In each game, Schreiner erased halftime leads but fell victim to big early second half scoring runs by the opponent. Freshman Riley Battle averaged 18.5 points while senior teammate Ronnie Barney returned from injury and averaged 15 points and nearly 9 rebounds per contest. Freshman Mark Mahaffy grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds in the game at Concordia.

BASEBALL: lost its first three games, 8-15 vs. Eastern New Mexico, 1-2 vs. Howard Payne and 3-14 at NCAA Division II UT-Permian Basin. Errors were costly last weekend as SU committed 14 in three games. That was particularly true in the lost to ENM. Schreiner held an 8-6 lead in the eighth inning but ENM rallied with unearned runs. Senior starting pitcher Kevin Jones was particularly effective in the loss vs. HPU, going six innings and allowing one run. Junior Johnny Huizar led the offense with five hits.

TENNIS: both teams lost at NCAA Division II St. Mary's by identical 0-9 scores. Both teams were undermanned for the matches, with only five players traveling on each team. Senior Brent Coleman and freshman Michelle Martinez each had spirited matches at #2 singles.

Schedule for the next week:

Thursday, Feb. 7th:
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL at Mary Hardin-Baylor * (Belton, TX) at 5:30 pm
MEN'S BASKETBALL at #12 Mary Hardin-Baylor * (Belton, TX) at 7:30 pm

Friday, Feb. 8th:
MEN'S TENNIS - Schreiner Invitational (Mountaineer Courts) at 10:00 am
WOMEN'S TENNIS - Schreiner Invitational (Mountaineer Courts) at 10:00 am

Saturday, Feb. 9th:
MEN'S TENNIS - Schreiner Invitational (Mountaineer Courts) at 10:00 am
MEN'S TENNIS - Schreiner Invitational (Mountaineer Courts) at 10:00 am
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL vs. Concordia-Texas * (Edington Gym) at 1:00 pm
MEN'S BASKETBALL vs. Concordia-Texas * (Edington Gym) at 3:00 pm

Tuesday, Feb. 12th:
MEN'S BASKETBALL vs. TexaS Lutheran * (Edington Gym) at 7:00 pm

Home contests in bold, * = ASC contests

Come out and support your SU teams. Go Mountaineers!!!