Box Score

Even when the Lady Wildcats don't play their best, they still win. 

The LC Women's Basketball team saw their win streak extend to six as they defeated UT-Dallas 69-53 at home Thursday at H.O. West Field House. In a matchup of the American Southwest Conference East Division's top two teams, the Lady Wildcats improved to 10-0 in conference play, 15-1 overall. UT-D dropped to 9-2 in conference play, 13-4 overall.
 
Senior Natosha Gottlieb led LC in scoring with 23 points, including 15 in the first half despite the fact the team shot just 29-percent from the field in the first twenty minutes. Gottlieb's floor game was also key in building a 36-17 halftime lead as she led the team at halftime with five rebounds, a block, and two steals. 

“We didn't play our best,” Gottlieb said. “We have to do a better job with shot selection.”

Aside from the off night in shooting, the Lady Wildcats were strong in other areas of play. The Lady Cats showed outstanding hustle and grabbed 18 offensive rebounds and outrebounded UT Dallas 34-21 in the first half, and 45-39 for the game. 

“I felt we had a great first half by out rebounding them,” LC Women's Basketball Coach Jason Tinsley said. “We outscored them by 19 in the first half.” 

The Lady Wildcats ended the first half leading 36-17.
 
The second half saw LC pull away to their biggest lead, at 51-25 with 12:45 left to play, and shot 48-percent in the second half, considerably better than the first.
 
Sophomore guard Skylar Chenevert, who had only four points in the first half, exploded for 15 in the second on her way to a 19-point game. 

“UT-Dallas was defensively good against the three,” Skylar said. “I used more of my drive game inside to score.”

The Lady Wildcats did struggle from the three-point line in the second half, going 0-for-6 and shot just 4-for-16 from behind the arc for the game. 

Sophomore guard Kaci Willis had 10 points on the night and was a favorite connection with Chenevert on several baskets – nothing unusual for the two who have played with and against each other growing up.

“Sometimes I feel that I have a sixth sense with Kaci,” Chenevert said. “We really had a good connection.”

With shots failing to drop, LC saw its big lead slowly dwindle down to 10 with 3:17 left to play, but the Lady Wildcats immediately responded with two steals and three quick baskets for a 6-0 run to make the score 65-49.
 
Gottlieb, who was shutout in scoring in the second half until four minutes were left finished with a flourish – eight points including a steal and basket to make the final 69-53.

“I felt that my pull up shot was not falling,” Gottlieb said. “But I have a great team and I'm always happy to pass.” 


LC and UT-Dallas will meet one more time this season at least.  Their game Feb. 9 in Richardson, Texas could be a final chance to decide the number one seed in the East Division.

“Next time we need to attack the ball better,” Tinsley said. “We need to make adjustments against the zone.”

Next up for LC is another home game, Saturday at 1 p.m. at the University of the Ozarks.