Clayton Noakes

Lady Wildcats Take Down ETBU

2/10/2018 8:36:00 PM

By: LC Sports Information - Brad Welborn

Box Score

It came down to the very end in the American Southwest Conference rivalry game, but the Louisiana College women's basketball team held on for the 58-57 win over East Texas Baptist University. A free throw from Zharian Maxmillion with nine seconds left in the game provided just enough separation for the Wildcats to survive the buzzer-beater on the other end from ETBU. The Wildcats play their final two games of the season next week at Rapides Coliseum on Thursday night and Saturday afternoon.

Two minutes and eight seconds was the total amount of time that ETBU held a lead in the ASC rivalry game Saturday afternoon at H.O. West Fieldhouse. The Wildcats, for the first time in the three games this week, came out with purpose and intent and led the game almost wire-to-wire. Rachel Johnson changed the lead for the final time on a layup with 2:50 left in the first quarter, which was followed by a 3-pointer from Janae Smith less than a minute later. LC had the 16-12 lead at the end of the first 10 minutes and confidence in their game plan on both ends of the floor.

The Wildcats stretched their lead to double figures by scoring the first six points of the second, and holding ETBU without a field goal for over three minutes. A key steal and layup on the other end by Kourtney McGhee as the time was running out in the half gave the Wildcats even more momentum and the 31-27 lead at the break.

After a second half opening three from ETBU that cut the lead down to one, the Wildcats rattled off the next 12 straight points to take a commanding 43-30 lead by the midway point of the quarter, their biggest lead of the game. ETBU got it down to six by the final minute of the third, but McGhee once again put her exclamation point on a quarter by knocking down a 3-pointer for the final points of the third, putting LC up 48-39 heading into the fourth.

McGhee's basket would prove to be crucial for the Wildcats as ETBU put everything they had into the final 10 minutes, to hold the Wildcats off the scoreboard. A 6-0 run to start the fourth made the game close again and a 3-pointer from the Tigers with 1:33 left tied the game for the first time since the first quarter. A layup from McGhee on the next possession put the Wildcats back on top and after a Wildcat steal the Tigers began fouling to stop the clock and send LC to the free throw line.

In the final 40 seconds of the game, LC went to the free throw line eight times, only converting on two of them. Fortunately for the Wildcats on offensive rebound and two rebounds on the other end on ETBU's only two chances to tie the game in the final minute allowed them to hold on for dear life. Zharian Maxmillion made the second of two free throws with nine seconds left to put LC up by four. With ETBU quickly moving down the floor a shot with three seconds left from the top of the circle was sent backwards by Brooke Jones, all but ending the Tigers hopes of pulling the comeback.

ETBU made a three-pointer at the buzzer but the free throw from Maxmillion just a few seconds earlier provided just enough for the Wildcats to take home the 58-57 win over their rivals.

Kourtney McGhee finished the game with 15 points, leading all scorers, along with seven rebounds. RyDeja McQuarn was the only other player in double figures, with 10 points at games end. Zharian Maxmillion had a solid performance as well with six point and eight rebounds.

The Wildcats finished the week with a 3-0 record in conference play and go for their 10^th ASC win next Thursday night as they host University of the Ozarks at Rapides Coliseum. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Alexandria. 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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