Feb. 9, 2006
Contact: Carlos Valdez III. (210) 458-4930
Second-half surge propels McNeese State past UTSA, 62-57
Box Score
LAKE CHARLES, La. – McNeese State shot 62 percent in the second the half to defeat the UTSA women’s basketball team, 62-57, Thursday night in Southland Conference action at Burton Coliseum.
The Roadrunners dip to 12-9 overall and 7-3 in SLC play, meanwhile the Cowgirls improve to 9-12 and 3-7 in league play.
Senior center Lacy Mingee led UTSA with a game-high 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor. Junior forward Vivian Ewalefo chipped in with 12 points and collected a team-high nine rebounds.
Marquita Williams led four McNeese State players in double figures with 13 points.
UTSA jumped on McNeese State early with a 9-0 run that made it 11-4 with 11:59 left in the first half. Senior forward Katie Sandefur led the way with six points scored in that run. The Cowgirls tied the game at 14-all when senior forward Regina Spivey connected on a pair of free throws with 9:58 to go in half.
The Runners pushed their lead to 27-17 on a 15-footer by Ewalefo with 3:01 remaining in the frame.
UTSA entered the half with a 29-22 lead over McNeese State.
The Roadrunners opened the second half with five quick points to build their largest lead of the game 34-22 at the 18:42.
McNeese State used a 14-2 run to tie the game at 36-36 with 12:38 remaining. Williams led the Cowgirls with eight points during the run. UTSA then used an 8-0 run to push the lead to 44-36 at the 9:48 mark.
The Cowgirls knotted the game at 50-all with 3:42 left. A 3-point play by Clarissa Clark gave McNeese State a 53-50 advantage, its first lead since the 2:40 mark of the first half. With 1:13 remaining, McNeese upped its lead to 58-50.
UTSA closed the gap to 59-54 with 25 seconds left in the game when Sandefur connected on a lay-up. This would the closest the Roadrunners would get for the rest of the game.
The Cowgirls made good on four straight free throw for the final, 62-57.
UTSA concludes its road trip as they visit Lamar on Saturday, Feb. 11. Tip is set for 7 p.m. in the Montagne Center.