LSUS drops 64-61 overtime decision to SUNO
January 28, 2007
New Orleans, LA---The LSUS Lady Pilots (7-11, 3-6) mounted a late second half comeback against the Southern University of New Orleans Lady Knights (11-4, 7-3) but found themselves on the wrong end of an overtime decision for the second time in their last three contests as the Lady Knights defeated LSUS 64-61 in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference action.
The first eight minutes of the first half saw the score tied on five different occasions as the two teams battled their way to a 12-12 tie. The Lady Pilots however managed to score just three points over the next ten minutes allowing the Lady Knights to jump out to a 27-15 lead.
The Lady Pilots mustered an 8-2 run in the final two minutes which was highlighted by a Janai Sells field goal as time expired in the first half to cut the Lady Knights lead to 29-23 at the break.
The late charge in the first half carried over into the second half as the Lady Pilots began mounted a 13-4 run and led 36-33 with 15:07 remaining.
Edie Leonards connected on a jump shot at the 12:40 mark which gave LSUS their largest lead of the afternoon, 41-36, forcing the Lady Knights to call a timeout.
SUNO responded with a 9-0 run over the next four minutes to reclaim a 45-41 lead after a Tiffany Edwards field goal.
LSUS tied the score at 47-47 at the 6:00 mark, but quickly found themselves down 53-47 after Sherri Vernice connected on a three point basket with 4:57 remaining.
Leonards once again made a huge basket for the Lady Pilots to pull them within one point with just 30 seconds remaining. LSUS opted to foul and stop the clock which sent Lateefa Marshall to the line with 25 seconds remaining.
Marshall missed the front end of the one-and-one which was rebounded by Kacie Cryer. The Lady Pilots got the ball in the hands of their leading scorer Jessica Kelly who fouled by Marshall, sending Kelly to the line for two shots and the chance for the lead with 14 seconds on the clock.
Kelly missed her first attempt but made the second to tie the score at 54-54. The Lady Pilots defense made a stand in the dying seconds to keep the score knotted at 54-54 and the two teams headed to overtime.
A Sells field goal had the Lady Pilots ahead 58-56 at the 2:47 mark of the extra frame, but the Lady Pilots offense sputtered through the final three minutes and found themselves down 62-58 in the dying seconds.
Cryer drilled a three point shot from the corner cutting the score to 62-61, forcing the Lady Pilots to foul to stop the clock. Martynique Hampton connected on both free attempts stretching the Lady Knights lead to 64-61, with just enough time for one last shot by LSUS.
A lead pass to half court was caught by Kelly who was forced to take a deep three point attempt which was off the mark as the Lady Pilots dropped their second overtime decision in their last three contests.
Hampton led the Lady Knights offense with 14 points while teammate Shatyne Hearne added 11 points and a team high seven rebounds. SUNO outrebounded LSUS 42-38 and shot a combined 42% from the floor.
Leonards collected 16 points and a game high 14 rebounds en route to her second double-double of the season for the Lady Pilots. Cryer finished with 16 points and added five rebounds, while Kelly added 12 points, eight rebounds, and collected three steals.
Saturday’s contest marked the half way point of the GCAC regular season for the Lady Pilots who will return home Thursday night to take on the Dillard University Lady Blue Devils. LSUS defeated DU 69-51 January 6th in New Orleans. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30pm.
