Cowgirls Finally Pick Up Conference Win
Troy LaFleur
Issue date: 2/1/10 Section: Sports
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After defeating Norfolk State way back on December 30, they finally chalked up another W in the victory column after they squeaked out a 54-52 win over Nicholls State last week in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Improving their record to 5-13 overall and 1-4 in Southland Conference play.
Before the win, the ladies had dropped their first four conference games, the most recent coming in a home beating by the Central Arkansas Lady Bears 76-58 at home.
Sophomores Candace Lacombe and Raiyawna Gatlin led McNeese in scoring with 14 points a piece. 12 of Lacombe's points came from behind the three-point line.
The Cowgirls jumped out to a quick four point lead, but dropped the lead after holding onto it for the first nine minutes, but trailed 35-25.
The Sugar Bears held an 11-point lead with 17:11 remaining in the game, but the Cowgirls started on a comeback going on a 13-2 run, tying the game up at 41 a piece. Gatlin then gave them the lead with a pair of free throws.
Central Arkansas would go onto to dominate the Cowgirls for the remainder of the game, outscoring them 35-17 in the final ten minutes of play.
Four days later the Cowgirls traveled to play the Colonels of Nicholls State.
Kiara Johnson led the way for McNeese with 16 points en route to their first Southland Conference victory. Dropping Nicholls State's record to 3-15 overall and 0-6 in conference play.
The Cowgirls dominated the Colonels in the paint, scoring 22 of their points there, and also took advantage of Nicholls' 18 turnovers.
Kendra Wells led the game with nine rebounds, as the Cowgirls outrebounded the Colonels 54-51.
Lacombe was second on the team with 11 points, and Raiyawna Gatlin put up seven points and four assists, despite playing the game with a stomach virus.
After a back and forth first half the Cowgirls took the lead for good with 15:02 remaining in the game. They grabbed their biggest lead of the night by going up 47-37 with just under ten minutes left to go.
A resilient Nicholls State squad refused to back down though. They repeatedly came back within one or two points of the Cowgirls for the remainder of the contest, but just couldn't manage to regain the lead.
The Colonels had one last chance to tie the game with a mere 10 seconds remaining, but Chelsea McNamee missed on two free throw attempts, giving the Cowgirls their first win in six appearances.
The Cowgirls traveled to Nacogdoches, Texas over the weekend to battle the Lady Jacks of Stephen F. Austin, and will host Northwestern State Wednesday night in the Lake Charles Civic Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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