LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana – McNeese made the most of its rebounding advantage to score a 68-53 victory over HBU in Southland Conference women's basketball Saturday afternoon in Burton Coliseum.
Freshman guard
Shannon Jones posted career highs with 13 points and seven rebounds for HBU (3-11, 1-3 SLC), while senior guard
Heidi Byrd and freshman guard
Sydney Carr each added 10. Freshman forward
Taylor Kollmorgen scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Frederica Haywood led McNeese (8-7, 3-1) with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Mercedes Rogers had 13 points and eight rebounds. Caitlyn Davis added 12 points and five assists and Dede Sheppard had 10 points and six boards.
HBU shot 35.7 percent from the field, 26.7 percent (4-of-15) from 3-point range, and went 9-for-16 from the free-throw line. McNeese shot 40.0 percent from the field, only 1-of-8 from long distance, and 19-for-25 from the stripe.
McNeese led by as many as five in the first period, but sophomore guard
Lisa Zderadicka's 3-pointer at the buzzer pulled the Huskies even with the Cowgirls, 16-16. The Cowgirls then ripped off a pair of 10-0 runs in the second to pull away by 18, before a late push by the Huskies made the score 39-26 at the break.
The Cowgirls held a double-digit advantage throughout the second half, extending their lead to as many as 20 and not allowing the Huskies to get closer than 12.
HBU returns for a three-game homestand beginning with Central Arkansas Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Sharp Gym. Wednesday is HBU Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day, where all HBU faculty and staff will be provided with free lunch and drinks.
