Southland Conference tourney: Cowgirls to play in tourney championship for second consecutive year
Published 12:00 am Friday, March 9, 2012
McNeese State University
KATY, Texas– McNeese State’s women’s basketball team defeated Texas State 76-46 here Thursday in the semifinal round to advance to the championship game on Friday at 7:05 p.m.
McNeese placed six players in double figures, the most this season and was led by senior Candace LaCombe’s 16 points. LaCombe was 6 of 10 from the field including 4 of 7 from three-point range. Senior Martika Hull ended the game with 13 points and a career high 17 rebounds. Hull ended the game with eight offensive rebounds and nine defensive rebounds. Ashlyn and Caitlyn Baggett along with Raiyawna Gatlin all chipped in 11 points.
“I’m extremely proud of our effort today. We had an unbelievable effort from our post who really played well in the paint. This was a huge team win, we stayed focused at the task at hand and did the little things we needed to do,” said head coach Brooks Donald-Williams.
McNeese ended the game with a 48.4 field goal shooting percent, 50.0 percent from three-point range and 69.2 percent from the free throw line. The Cowgirls were 30 of 62 from the field including seven three-pointers. McNeese dominated to boards by outrebounding Texas State 50-27 and held a 48-9 halftime lead which was also the largest lead of the game for the Cowgirls.
McNeese State’s women’s basketball held Texas State to nine first half points, the lowest amount of points by a Cowgirls opponent. The Cowgirls shot 59.4 percent from the field and outrebounded Texas State 25-7. The Cowgirls got 17 defensive rebounds and holding the Bobcats to just one shot on their side. On the other hand, the Cowgirls were missing very many on the offensive end. McNeese was 19-32 from the field, including 6-11 from three-point range.
McNeese’s smothering defense held Texas State to three field goals including one three-pointer. Texas State had two less rebounds (7) than they had points (9) in the first half.
McNeese State’s women’s basketball will look to win its second consecutive Southland Conference Tournament title and trip to the NCAA Tournament Friday night when they will face Stephen F. Austin in the championship game at 7:05 at the Merrell Center in Katy, Tx.
The game will be televised on the Southland Conference Network, which will air on Suddenlink (Ch. 14) in Lake Charles as well as ESPN3.com. The game can be heard on the radio (1290 or 1470 AM).
