Lady Pilots play host to winless Lady Badgers in GCAC opener
January 03, 2007
The LSUS Lady Pilots ended the 2006 portion of their schedule on a tough two game road swing against Wayland Baptist University and No. 5 Lubbock Christian University. The Lady Pilots were within striking distance late in the second half of both contests, but were on the losing end of 66-56 and 69-54 decisions. At 4-5 on the season entering conference play, the Lady Pilots are well behind their 8-2 mark which they had posted prior to conference play last season, however Head Coach Ronnie Howell believes they are a much improved team.
“We played a much tougher schedule this fall and I think it has made us a lot better. We battled toe-to-toe with some of the top teams in the NAIA and showed we could compete, and on any given night we believe we could win. I think we know where we stand as a team and know what we have to do in order to be successful night in and night out in the GCAC,” commented Howell.
The Lady Pilots will get their first look at a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opponent Thursday night at The Dock where they will play host to the 0-8 Spring Hill College Lady Badgers. Despite the Lady Badgers record, Coach Howell has his team on full guard as he realizes conference wins are tough to come by.
“In the GCAC you never know what could happen. I think teams in our conference prepare very well for one another and it comes down to who can execute and take care of the basketball. You need to win games at home and try and steal some on the road if you want to be among the top teams heading into the postseason. Thursday night is a very big game for us,” concluded Howell.
Jessica Kelly Leads the Lady Pilots offensively averaging 12.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest. Her 18 steals is also best on the Pilots team whose defense allows just 57.0 points per game. Kacie Cryer is also averaging double-digit scoring totals with 10.3 points per game and is also averaging 5.2 rebounds. The Lady Pilots have received some outstanding play from the hands of 6’0 forward Janai Sells who poured in 20+ points in three of the last four contests. Sells has boosted her scoring average to 9.8 per game and is second on the team in rebounding averaging 5.4 per contest.
