PINEVILLE – The Lady Cats' 69-54 in over previously undefeated and No.6-ranked Howard Payne was special in more ways than one for the women of Louisiana College.

Not only did the Lady Cats (7-1, 5-1 in American Southwest Conference play), down their second top 25 team of the year and defeat Howard in ASC play for the first time in school history, they also helped third-year coach Janice Joseph-Richard, herself and alumnae and former Lady Cat, log her 300th career victory as a head coach.

A victory that might have seemed miles and lifetimes away when, several years ago, she was diagnosed with cancer, a disease she fought while continuing to coach through last year.

“It really snuck up on me,” Joseph-Richard said before joking, “I guess it means that I've been doing this for a while. You hear about these things, but it never really crossed my mind that I would reach 300.

“This game has been great to me. I've had the chance, and still have the chance, to work with some incredible ladies. I am blessed to be able to do this.”

LC athletic director Tim Whitman said he felt that Louisiana College was equally-fortunate to have a coach the caliber of Joseph-Richard in its ranks.

“I think 300 wins is a testament to her hard work and dedication,” Whitman said. “Janice has done a great job with this program. She's got her team heading in a positive direction. Beating the two ranked teams that she has this year is no fluke. I think they will continue to compete on that kind of high level.

“And honestly, to know what all she has been through, it couldn't happen to a better person. She fought through and never let it bring her down. We're all very happy for Janice on her 300th win. Hopefully, we'll get to see her get No. 400 and No. 500 right here at Louisiana College.”

Joseph-Richard, who began her coaching career at Xavier of New Orleans in the 1990's before moving to San Jose State and LC, improved her career coaching mark to 300-161.

A native of Alexandria and former prep standout at Peabody Magnet, she first came to Louisiana College as a player in the mid 1980's.

While a member of the LC women's basketball team, Joseph-Richard led the Lady Cats to a No. 1 national ranking and NAIA Final Four appearance in 1986 and was twice named first-team All-America (1985 and 1986).

After her playing career ended, Joseph-Richard embarked on a career n coaching, a journey that led her from Xavier to San Jose State and back to LC.

“I've gone full-circle,” Joseph-Richard said. “I have been lucky to have the life I have in basketball.

“To go from playing at Peabody under a great coach in Deborah Marzula, to being recruited by just one college out of high school, Louisiana College, to playing for another great coach at LC, Frank Schneider, a man who taught me so much about the game and about life, to a coaching career is pretty amazing …

“I've had a love affair with basketball my whole life and not many people get to spend their lives doing what they love to do. I have been very fortunate.”

At every stop on Joseph-Richard's career path, she has been successful.

At Xavier, she went 159-34 in six seasons, won several Gulf Coast Athletic Conference titles and helped her team qualify for the NAIA national tournament.

“She knows the game,” junior guard Christy Pantallion said. “Between her and (assistant coach Alpha English), we get a great scouting report before every game. She's going to tell you how to beat any team. All you have to do is go out and execute.”

“Every game I've ever played under her, we've been well prepared,” senior guard Joanna Tate said. “She watches film after film of every opponent and breaks it down for us. If they're doing something well on film, she'll find a way to stop them.”

At San Jose State, she rebuild the NCAA Division I program before returning to LC to rebuild the Lady Cats, a team she has guided to a 7-1 start this season, including a win over top-25 Hardin-Simmons in November and Saturday's win over top-10 Howard Payne.

“What a game to get to 300 on,” Tate said. “Getting to 300 wins says a lot about Coach. It's an honor for me to play for her and help her to get that 300th win. To do it against undefeated, No. 6 Howard Payne makes it even better.”

As impressive as her mark as a coach has been the relationship Joseph-Richard has forged with her players.

“She's great to play for,” Tate said. “She knows her players and we can all tell that she cares about us. That's what makes us all want to play for her … She's very fair with us. She's not one to yell. She'll get loud if she has to, but usually, she just gets up and says, 'Look!' and we all know what that means.”

“For me, sometimes I prefer her as a mentor off the court,” Pantallion joked. “For me at least, it can be tough when we're out on the court. She can be tough on us, but I understand where she is coming from. She treats everyone fair and like her own kids. I love her and wouldn't trade her for anyone else in the world.”

Pantallion, who had signed with San Jose State under Joseph-Richard out of high school but never played on the West Coast, has the most history with Joseph-Richard among current LC players and found it particularly gratifying to be a part of win 300.

“It's great to be a part of this,” Pantallion said. “It's an honor for me just to have her as a coach. She recruited me right out of high school. Of course, I never got to play for her at San Jose State, but for some reason, whether it was by strange coincidence or divine guidance, I got a second chance. For me, it was definitely an honor.”