It’s a game of energy and Texas controlled it all.

In their fourth game of the season, the Longhorns beat the Central Connecticut Blue Devils to stay undefeated. The 94-58 win marked the first time they began a season 4-0 since 2010.

Once again, sophomore Nneka Enemkpali was the star of the game. She registered her fourth straight double-double, tallying 21 points and 10 rebounds, becoming the first Longhorn since Tiffany Jackson in 2006 to accomplish the feat.

“I just go out there and play each game like it’s a new game,” Enemkpali said. “I go out there and have fun with my teammates. I don’t really think about the past. Just move forward with each game.”

Chassidy Fussell led the Longhorns with 22 points while also recording a season-high four steals. Imani McGee-Stafford swatted a season-high nine blocks, which was the most for the Longhorns since Ashley Gayle recorded 10 in 2010.

Texas came out of the gate flying. By the first media timeout, the Longhorns had built up a double-digit lead, outscoring their opponent 32-4 in the paint. At halftime they were up 51-25, thanks in part to Fussell’s 12 point first half.

The second half came just as easy for the home team. Texas shot 64 percent while holding the Blue Devils to just 34. Six of McGee-Stafford’s nine blocks came after halftime to limit Central Connecticut on the defensive end.

Head coach Karen Aston was completely satisfied with her team’s performance in the game against Central Connecticut. Coming out to start the game fast is a concept she has tried to push since she first came to Austin last spring.

“I thought our energy level in the first half was terrific,” Aston said. “We talk a lot as a team about getting out of the gates quick and setting a tone at the beginning of the game. In particular our starting lineup is really beginning to understand what the first four minutes of the game are like.”

Texas was 3-1 in its first four games last year, winning by only a small margin in some of those wins.

“Just the inside-out game makes it so much easier on the guards and the posts really, because if they double the post they’re going to kick it back out and if they double the guards we’re going to throw it in,” Fussell said. “So just the inside-out game is working best for us.”

Texas now looks forward to its next opponent on Friday. UT will face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi here in Austin. As they look to start 5-0, the Longhorns are focusing on continuing their strong start right out of the game and explosive leads.

Printed on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 as: Longhorns dominate in win