March 8, 2008

Box Score

LAKE CHARLES-- McNeese State's women's basketball team clinched a spot in next week's Southland Conference Tournament in Katy, Tx. with a 67-64 overtime victory over Nicholls State here Saturday. The Cowgirls got off to a slow start on offensive and trailed 20-6 at the 8:15 mark in the first half. The Cowgirls shot 32.8 percent for the game but showed why they are the league's best free throw shooting team. McNeese ended the game making 22 of 28 free throws for 78.6 percent.

"We were off on every part of the game early on. We couldn't buy a bucket. The first half just wasn't our half," said head coach Brooks Donald Williams.

Courtnee' Hollins led the Cowgirls with 17 points, Shante' Perry chipped in 15 and senior Brittany Boone ended the game with a double-double by scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Kiara Johnson scored five points and grabbed six rebounds.

"Lopez and Johnson played hard and stepped up for us today. This was a team effort. Not only are we going to Katy, Tx., we are also looking for a higher seed."

McNeese will find out its exact tournament seed following other games around the league later tonight or early Sunday morning.

The Cowgirls trailed 31-20 at the half but made a comeback when senior Lopez hit a three-pointer with 13:30 left in the game. Nicholls State regained the lead 49-47 with 6:01 left in regulation but Hollins tied the game at 49 on a jumper with 4:09 left.

Trailing 59-56 with 1:29 left in the regulation, the Cowgirls outscored the Colonels 5-2 in the final minute of the game.

With the Cowgirls trailing 61-59, Boone was fouled by Shelley West on a three-pointer, sending Boone to the free throw line. Boone made two of three to tie the game at 61 all. Nicholls State turned the ball over with 32.7 seconds left and Boone's jumper in the lane rimmed out as time expired to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, Nicholls State took a 63-61 lead with 4:19 left and then added a free throw by Funaki Kefu with 2:48 left for a 64-61 lead. From this point on it was the Cowgirls who did the rest of the scoring with Perry hitting a jumper with 2:47 left and Boone gave the Cowgirls a 65-64 lead with 1:13 left. Nicholls State had a chance to take the lead after the Cowgirls were called for a shot clock violation with 24.4 second left but Katherine Plummer missed a layup and Johnson was fouled on the rebound with 2.8 seconds left. Johnson sank both free throws for a 67-64 Cowgirl lead. Nicholls wasn't able to get a shot off as time expired, sealing the Cowgirl victory.

"Once again they responded in the second half. Our press was the difference in the game and we took advantage when Plummer was on the bench in foul trouble."