University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lady Eagles Remain Unbeaten, At 8-0
12/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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Lady Eagles Remain Unbeaten, At 8-0
Carbondale, Ill. - Southern Miss used a strong shooting performance in the second half to edge Southern Illinois, 59-55, here Tuesday night, and remain unbeaten at 8-0 while matching the best start in Lady Golden Eagle history.
The 0-7 SIU team did not go away quietly though. Southern Miss managed to shoot just .296 (21-52) in the first half, allowing the Salukis to stay close. Coach Rick Reeves' team still enjoyed a narrow 26-25 edge at intermission, then caught fire in the second half, hitting 13-of-25 (.520) shots from the floor, but still needed a late 3-pointer and a pair of free throws in the final seconds to seal the victory.
Down 55-54 with 49-seconds left in the game, Marlena Lee canned a 3-pointer for a 57-55 lead, and then Tierra Lassiter insured the victory by hitting both shots of a one-and-one with six-tenths of a second remaining.
"I thought this was another stage of our growth process," said Reeves. "This was the first game we've played on the road, and being a young team, we weren't sure how we would respond. But, some of our veteran players came through with key plays, and our younger players kept their composure throughout a close game. This was a good victory for us, one that we can use to continue to grow and improve."
Lassiter led the Lady Eagles with 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting that included 4-of-7 from 3-point range and 2-of-2 from the line. Three teammates also recorded double-digit points. Lana Lewis and Deondra Carter put up 12 each and Michelle Poindexter added 10. Lee's late three gave her seven points, but she also contributed a team-high nine rebounds, helping Southern Miss to a 36-32 edge on the boards. Poindexter added eight rebounds and Lee led both teams with eight assists.
Both teams connected on 7-of-20 3-point baskets, and Southern Miss enjoyed a 10-of-15 to 4-of-5 edge from the free throw line.
Southern Illinois put three players in double figures with Tiffany Crutcher leading the way with 12.
Following tonight's game, Southern Miss returns home for a Friday night game against Mercer, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. Following that game, the Lady Eagles play at Centenary Dec. 21, and then won't return to action until a Dec. 30 game at Arkansas-Little Rock.
