Todd Ryals

Comeback Falls Short for Lady Wildcats

1/27/2018 4:55:00 PM

By: LC Sports Information - Brad Welborn

Box Score

A huge second half come back fell short for the Louisiana College women's basketball team Saturday afternoon, as they fell to the University of Texas at Dallas 81-73. The Wildcats erased 10-point halftime deficit in the third quarter, but UTD had the answers over the final 10 minutes to pick up the win. The Wildcats and Comets will face each other again next Thursday at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria.

The first half belonged almost entirely to UTD as they seemingly could not miss on any shot attempt. The Comets shot 60.6 percent from the field in the first half and if not for a late run by the Wildcats the 10-point halftime margin could have been larger. UTD held a 43-29 lead with 2:25 left in the second quarter, but LC scored six of the final eight total points to pull within 10 at the break. Kourtney McGhee started and finished the run for the Wildcats with a jumper at each end.

The Wildcats carried their momentum into the second half, scoring the first four points of the third within the first minute. The Wildcats defense began to create more opportunities for the offense with important defensive rebounds. Down by eight at the midway point of the third quarter, the Wildcats dominated the next four minutes of the quarter, outscoring UTD 14-5. Rachel Johnson was 3-for-4 during that run, including two long balls, for eight points, the last of which gave the Wildcats their first lead of the game with 49 seconds left in the quarter. A pair of free throws from the Comets in the final 30 seconds of the quarter gave them lead back 56-55 after three.

Johnson hit another 3-pointer at the 7:39 mark of the fourth quarter that tied the game at 60, but the answers for the Comets began and kept the Wildcats from gaining any more momentum. UTD answered Johnson's three with one of their own and every point scored by the Wildcats was matched by the Comets over the next four minutes of play. A free throw from Brooke Jones with 1:31 left in the game got the Wildcats within a few at 77-73 by the Wildcats were only able to attempt two more shots the rest of the game as the Comets made 4-of-6 free throw attempt to seal the game 81-73 in their favor.

Brooke Jones led all scorers with 22 points, adding seven rebounds to her effort in the game. Rachel Johnson scored 17 points in the game, 14 of which coming in the second half, thanks to 5-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Kourtney McGhee was also in double digits after the game with 12 points, adding six assists.

The Wildcats complete their road schedule and now prepare for their next six games all at home in CenLA. They will host UTD on Thursday night at Rapides Coliseum with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m., then take on Belhaven the following Monday, also at Rapides Coliseum. Stay connected to Louisiana College women's basketball by following @LC_WBB on Twitter. For general athletics news follow @LC_Wildcats on Twitter or like Louisiana College Wildcats on Facebook.

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