Todd Ryals

Lady Wildcats Off to Strong Start

11/15/2017 9:48:00 PM

By: LC Sports Information - Brad Welborn

Box Score

On the opening night of the 2017-18 women's basketball season, Louisiana College seemed found mid-season form in a 77-53 runaway victory over Birmingham-Southern College. The Wildcats used a strong second half, outscoring the Panthers 44-21 in the final two quarters to cruise to their first win of the season. LC will hit the road for a weekend trip to Wheaton, Ill. for a pair of games against North Central College and Wheaton College Friday and Saturday.

The Wildcats led from the opening tip as a jumper from Brooke Jones found the net after a steal from Kourtney McGhee. BSC tied the game on their next possession, but an 8-2 run by the Wildcats gave them an early cushion. After an answering run by the Panthers to tie the game at 10, the Wildcats finished the first with six points from three different seniors to hold a 16-13 advantage after the first 10 minutes.

BSC tied the game on the first shot of the second quarter, but once again the Wildcats scored seven quick points to retake control of the game. A three-ball from RyDeja McQuarn started the run for LC, which was followed by a Jones layup and two free throws from McGhee. The Panthers though, continued to fight and hung in the game through the end of the half, getting the final six points of the half to cut things down to just one point at halftime, 33-32.

The second half belonged entirely to the Wildcats, as they came out of the locker room on fire, going on a 10-0 run through the first three and a half minutes of the third quarter. A free throw from BSC finally broke the scoreless streak, but another jumper from Jones put the Wildcats ahead 45-33 midway through the quarter. LC controlled the pace of play the rest of the quarter and another shot from downtown by McQuarn capped thing off and LC led 53-44 entering the final 10 minutes.

The Wildcats athleticism and depth were too much for the Panthers to handle in the fourth quarter. LC outscored BSC 24-9 to run away with the game and finished off a convincing opening night win. The Panthers scored six of their nine total points in the first four minutes and then were held to just three for the final six minutes as LC continued to apply pressure on the defensive side. Up eight with 6:49 remaining, a 19-2 run put the game away for the Wildcats. Five different Wildcats scored in the final minutes to put things to bed with Jones and McGhee leading the way with four and six points respectively.

Kourtney McGhee finished with 20 points, the games top scorer, nine rebounds, and five steals. Brooke Jones also was one rebound shy of a double-double with 19 points and nine rebounds. Zharian Maxmillion was the only Wildcats to reach double figures in rebounds with 10, adding six points and six assists as well. Taylor Payne and RyDeja McQuarn both found double figures in points with 10 and 11 points each.

The Wildcats take on North Central College on Friday afternoon in Wheaton, Ill. then end their trip to the northern Midwest with a matchup with Wheaton College. Both games are part of the Beth Baker Classic at Wheaton College. Stay connected to Louisiana College women's basketball all season by following @LC_WBB on Twitter. For general athletics news follow @LC_Wildcats on Twitter or like Louisiana College Athletics on Facebook.

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