Todd Ryals

Comets Too Much for Wildcats

2/9/2017 10:51:00 PM

By: LC Sports Information

Box Score

The top seed in the American Southwest Conference Eastern division, University of Texas at Dallas, showed why they have only lost one conference game this season in a convincing 72-44 win over the Louisiana College Lady Wildcats basketball team. A stifling defensive effort by the conferences best defensive unit held the Wildcats to their lowest offensive output of the season, and in turn creating a near must win scenario for LC to earn a spot in the conference tournament.

The Wildcats started the game with a 6-0 run thanks to some sloppy play by the Comets and several turnovers. The six point lead was quickly erased on back-to-back shots off of two Wildcat turnovers. LC still was able hold on to the lead through the first eight minutes of the game until a layup at the 1:58 mark of the first tied the game at 12. After both teams traded baskets, a free throw with two second left gave the Comets the 15-14 lead at the end of the first.

It would be a lead they would not surrender the rest of the night, outscoring LC 22-7 in the second quarter. From the 5:25 mark of the second quarter, the Comets went on a 14-3 run to finish the half and take a commanding 37-21 lead into the second half. The Wildcats shot 27.6% from the field in the first half and went 0-for-6 from behind the 3-point arc in the half.

The Comets continued to play tough defense through the second half and won esentially ever statistical category in the game, including out rebounding the Wildcats 53-36 in the game and 27-15 in the second half. The Wildcats shot better in the second half, 35.7% from the floor, but the margin was too big for them to overcome.

Brooke Jones was the only Wildcat to reach double figures in scoring with 13 points off the bench for LC. Taylor Payne pulled in 12 rebounds and scored six points in the game on 2-of-6 shooting from the floor.

The loss creates an interesting scenario for the Wildcats on Saturday against Ozarks. The Wildcats will need to win Saturday to still have the chance to make it into the conference tournament. Ozarks still has two more conference game remaining after Saturday, home contests against UT Tyler and LeTourneau, next week. A win on Saturday for LC and a loss to either Tyler or LeTourneau next week would lock the Wildcats into the fourth seed and match them up with the ASC West champion Howard Payne. Tip off is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon at H.O. West Fieldhouse, with senior recognition for both the men's and women's teams between games.

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