Category | Sports

Lady Owls fight, fall to Eagles

Published on February 2, 2010 by John Morbitzer

Saturday night, the KSU Lady Owls basketball team (5-15, 2-9) fell to the Atlantic Sun, leading Florida Gulf Coast University Lady Eagles (16-4, 11-1) at home 64-75.

The second half showed their character as FGCU made the first basket of the half to push the lead to 14, the biggest of the night. The defense forced the Lady Eagles out of their game as KSU fought their way back to shrink the lead to four with 4:32 left in regulation, but that was the closest they would come to a tie as both teams traded baskets until free throws by FGCU, coupled with missed opportunities by KSU, pushed the lead to 10 with 1:10 left.

“I think it was probably the best performance we’ve had in the last 12 games,” head coach Colby Tilley said. “They played hard. That’s the hardest I’ve seen them play for as long as they did. I think we’re almost there as far as turning the corner. I know the season is almost over, but these freshmen are finally understanding what we’re trying to do. And everybody has battled hard. FGCU is number one in the league and we knew it was going to be a battle going in, so I’m proud of their effort.”

The Black and Gold started strong trading baskets with FGCU, as they found success in the paint early with starting center Montinique Nixon, who scored six of the Owls’ first 11 points, but the Lady Eagles adjusted as KSU struggled to find an answer for the opposition’s perimeter offense. Though FGCU only made 25 percent of their second half three-pointers, the Lady Eagles shot 45 percent from the three-point line in the first half which fueled a 23-9 run that gave the Eagles a 32-18 lead with 5:07 left in the period.

“We weren’t able to get out on their shooters.” Tilley said. “They’ll run double screens, staggered screens and it’s just tough to get out there, and they all can shoot.”

Though the Lady Owls knew it would be a challenge going into the match up, the team will continue to work hard after the loss.

“I think we fought hard,” senior guard Gia Lockett said. “They’re top in the conference right now and we’re down there at 2-8. But we fought hard the whole game.”

KSU showed a balanced attack with sophomore guard Angie Smith leading the Lady Owls, scoring with 16, shooting 2-3 from beyond the arch and recording a team-high seven assists. FGCU’s Adrianne McNally led both teams in scoring with 25, shooting 8-9 from the free throw line.