Feb. 24, 2007

LAKE CHARLES, La. - The Lamar University women's basketball team played a solid first half, but slept through the second half and fell victim to the McNeese State Cowgirls 60-59 Saturday afternoon at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles, La.

The win was the first in conference play for McNeese State and the Cowgirls first win since November 30, 2006 when they beat Belhaven College. They are now 3-24 on the year and 1-13 in Southland Conference play. The loss drops Lamar to 11-16 on the year, and 6-8 in Southland Conference play.

McNeese won the game on a free throw by Courtnee' Hollins, who was fouled by Lamar's LaToya Carson with 2.6 seconds to play. The free throw capped the second half for McNeese who out scored LU 32-20.

Leading by 11 at halftime at 39-28, the Lady Cardinals could not find their offense in the second half, scoring just four points in the opening 12 minutes. In that time the Cowgirls slowly pulled themselves back into the game.

After falling behind by as much as four points with 9:38 to play, Lamar found their offense and appeared as if they would surge past the Cowgirls for the win.

The Lady Cardinals took a four point lead with 1:37 to play on a Carson jumper, but McNeese responded with a three pointer by Hollins. After another jumper by Carson made it 59-56, the Cowgirls exploited the Lamar defense again with a triple by Brittany Boone, tying the game at 59 with 46 seconds to play.

The Lady Cardinals failed to convert on their offensive end of the floor on their last possession of the game, as Carson's layup attempt hit the bottom of the backboard and caromed out of bounds, setting up Hollins' heroics.

For the game the Lady Cardinals were led by Dionne Pounds 19 points, while Carson chipped in with 17. McNeese was led by Hollins, who scored 13 points, while Reeshimah Davis and Shante' Perry added 12 and 10 points respectively.

The biggest difference in the game came on the glass, as McNeese out rebounded the Lady Cards 44 to 38, with a 27 to 18 advantage in the second half. The Cowgirls pulled down 17 offensive rebounds in the game, leading to multiple second chance scoring opportunities.

The Lady Cardinals will be in action again on Thursday at 7 p.m. when they host their final home game of the seasosn against Nicholls State.