Courtesy: Pam LaFosse Candace LaCombe comes off the bench to lead Cowgirls with 15 points
LAKE CHARLES, LA -- McNeese State's women's basketball team fell short in their comeback in a 62-53 season opening loss to New Orleans here Saturday at Burton Coliseum.
"We came out cold and did not shoot the ball from the field or free throw well today. We were getting the ball into the hands of the players we wanted to and were getting good shots, they just didn't fall," said head coach Brooks Donald Williams.
Candace LaCombe came off the bench to lead the Cowgirls with 15 points and was the only Cowgirl who managed to score double figures. Sophomore Kendra Wells led all players with 11 rebounds.
"Candace had another big night for us. It hurt us when she got injured and we were making that little run."
McNeese struggled from the field and had to fight an uphill battle throughout the game. It wasn't the way McNeese would have liked to begin the season, nor were they expecting that kind of shooting performance. McNeese shot 29.2 percent from the field while the Privateers shot 50.0 from the field and three-point range by making 6 of 12. The Cowgirls were 3 of 24 from behind the arc.
"We looked a little lost and had some first game jitters. We did some positive things tonight and it was a great lesson for a young team. We move on from here and look forward to our next opponent."
New Orleans jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the early minutes of the game before the Cowgirls would score their first points, four minutes into the game on a Brooke Froeba layup. UNO extended its lead to six points four minutes later but the Cowgirls would come back to tie it at 10 all on a Raiyawna Gatlin jumper at the nine minute mark. The Privateers outscored the Cowgirls 10-4 in the next five minutes to take their largest lead of the half (20-14) and held a 24-17 halftime lead.
New Orleans continued to extend their lead in the second half and held as much as a 20 point lead (57-37) with 3:31 left in the game. McNeese would outscore UNO 14-3 to cut the lead to nine (60-51) with :22 left in the the game. After a free throw by UNO's Amanda McCarthy put the lead back to double figures, McNeese's Ja'Niqua Kendrix scored a layup with :09 for an eight point (61-53) UNO lead. The Cowgirls fouled McCarthy again with seven second McCarthy made the second of two free throws for the final point of the game.
"Our effort on the boards in the second half was a major difference than in the first. I know the girls are disappointed in themselves tonight because we didn't do the little things for 40 minutes. When we do the little things, that makes us successful.
Talishia Young led a trio of UNO players who scored in double figures with 22 points. Candice McGee ended the game with 11 points and Brittany Helm chipped in 10.
"UNO outplayed us,their girls came out and played hard for 40 minutes."
McNeese (0-1) will host Texas College at 7 p.m. Monday at Burton Coliseum.
Courtesy: Pam LaFosse
