Feb. 21, 2008

Box Score

LAKE CHARES-- McNeese State's defensive intensity let up in the second half and Northwestern State's offense perked up as the Lady Demons picked up a 69-54 Southland Conference victory here Thursday night. The victory was the second Northwestern State victory over the Cowgirls this season. Northwestern State defeated McNeese 90-62 in Natchitoches in the first meeting.

"The biggest thing we have to do is maintain our defensive intensity throughout the game and limit our turnovers in order for us to compete," said head coach Brooks Donald Williams.

McNeese held a 31-29 halftime lead and outscored the Lady Demons 12-4 in the paint and 17-3 from the bench in the first half, something the Cowgirls haven't done all season. Shante' Perry and Courtnee' Hollins combined for 22 of the Cowgirls' 31 first half points with 11 apiece. Brittany Boone had seven first half rebounds.

Hollins ended the game with 15 points and Perry added 13. Boone ended the game with a season high 13 rebounds (all defensive) and scored nine points.

"I thought we played a very good defensive first half. With Courtnee' waking up sick today, we had to change our game plan and the girls responded well in the first half."

The Cowgirls held Lake Charles native Tena Matthews off the boards in the first half, allowing Matthews to only five first half rebounds. Matthews controlled the boards in the second half 11 and scored 21 of her game high 34 points in the second half to end the game with a double-double (34 points, 16 rebounds).

"Tena Matthews is tough. I thought we did a good job of keeping her off the boards in the first half but we struggled keeping her out of the paint and off the glass in the second half."

McNeese extended its lead in the second half and held as much as an eight point lead with 14:38 left in the game. Northwestern State slowly cut into the Cowgirl lead and tied the game at 49 all on an Ashley Barnum three-point play with 8:27 left in the game.

Northwestern State outscored the Cowgirls 20-5 in the final eight minutes of the game, with 11 of their final 15 points coming from the free throw line. Brittiany Houston scored her four points of the game from the charity stripe, Anna Cate Williams made two free throws and Matthews made one free throw in the final 1:51 left in the game.

"We will regroup and get excited to face the Sugar Bears on the road Saturday." McNeese (6-19, 4-7 SLC) will travel to Conway, Arkansas to face Central Arkansas for a 6 p.m. game. Central Arkansas defeated the Cowgirls 85-79 earlier this season in Jennings.