Nov. 21, 2007

Box Score

CINCINNATI, Ohio-- McNeese State's women's basketball team fell 83-44 to the University of Cincinnati here Wednesday night in a hard fought game. The Cowgirls showed signs of what they are capable of doing as a team and individual players provided sparks that showed what they are capable of doing on any given night.

"I was extremely proud of our effort tonight. The seven players that played tonight, played with heart and a fight in them," said head coach Brooks Donald Williams.

Senior Lenissa Lopez Dishes Out A Career High Eight Assists

McNeese was led by two freshmen a junior and a senior. Freshmen Kiara Johnson and Ne'Aisha Anderson both scored in double figures, Concieta Cutrer led the Cowgirls with six rebounds, five coming on the defensive end. Senior Lenissa Lopez played the best game of her career with a game and individual career high eight assists in 34 minutes played. Anderson led the Cowgirls in scoring and scored in double figures for the third time this season with 15 points.

Freshman Kiara Johnson Scores 11 Points

Johnson showed signs of her potential as she was the only other Cowgirl to score in double figures with 11 points. Johnson was five of 11 from the field but what was most impressive was her effort on both offense and defense.

"Our freshmen stepped up tonight. Their enthusiasm and passion really showed in their play. Kiara was a presence in the paint and that's something we haven't had. Ne'Aisha continues to improve and adjust to the college game. She is becoming a constant scoring force for us."

McNeese was without three starters (Brittany Boone, Shante' Perry, Jessica Hooker) as well as its second leading scorer (Marcy Anderson). Boone and Anderson were benched due to violating team rules. Perry and Hooker were held out due to injuries.

Cincinnati took the early lead but McNeese tied the game at five all on a three-pointer by Cutrer at the 16:47 mark. The Bearcats went on a 9-0 run to increase its lead to 17-5 midway through the half. Hollins' three-pointer cut the lead back into single digits (17-8) but Cincinnati went on another scoring run and held a 29-14 lead with 4:08 left in the half. McNeese cut the lead to 10 (31-21) on a Cutrer free throw with 1:35 remaining in the half but Cincinnati went on a 4-0 run the rest of the way to lead 35-21 at halftime. The Cowgirls missed an opportunity to go into the locker room down by 10 on a missed layup by Joanna Klutarich two missed free throws by Hollins seven seconds on the clock.

"We were four points away from a 10 point game at the half. The first half was the best basketball we played as a unit. Our offense flowed smoothly and we had some good scoring opportunities. We played scrappy on the defensive end tonight."

McNeese was outscored 48-23 by the Bearcats in the second half with 12 of their points coming from its bench. McNeese got two points from its bench in the second half. McNeese was at a height disadvantage as Cincinnati outrebounded the Cowgirls 60-34.

"Once again we got outrebounded by an extremely large margin. We have improved on our boxing out but we still need to find a way to get the ball. Even though we will be outsized almost every night, we must find a way to rebound."

McNeese (0-5) will continue its Ohio trip on Friday when the Cowgirls take part in the Xavier National City Invitational. McNeese will face Liberty at 5 p.m. (CST) Friday, Xavier at 3 p.m. (CST) on Saturday and Houston at (11 a.m. CST) on Sunday. All tournament games can be heard live on KJEF (1290 AM).