Stephen Gutierrez/THE RIDER
The UTRGV Women’s Basketball Team fell to McNeese State University 67-52 today in a semifinal match of the Southland Conference Basketball Championship.
Head coach Lane Lord said he was proud of his team for the effort they put in, despite getting knocked out of the tournament.
Lord added the Cowgirls deserve credit for their strength on the defensive side.
“All their players that played were just relentless with their defensive pressure,” he said. “That’s why they’ve won 20 in a row. They’re good for a reason.”
While McNeese opened the first quarter with a layup by Jalencia Pierre, a senior guard, Charlotte O’Keefe, a UTRGV senior forward, responded with her own, followed by a 3 pointer by Gianna Angiolet, a UTRGV sophomore guard.
The Vaqueros were able to get an early 9-6 lead, but a layup by Carley Hamilton, a freshman guard, in the final minute helped the Cowgirls end the quarter at 16-13.
Early in the second quarter, McNeese went on a 6-1 run to extend their lead to 22-14, but the Vaqueros were able to put together their own 10-point run to overtake the Cowgirls 24-22. The rest of the quarter mirrored the men’s basketball game from Tuesday, with both teams fighting to keep the score tight.
However, McNeese was able to close out the frame with a 31-30 lead over UTRGV.
Both teams returned from the locker room, ready to put more points on the board, with the Vaqueros going on another 10-point run, after three back to back scores from Chazlyn Dettor, a freshman forward, followed by a three pointer from O’Keefe, putting UTRGV ahead 45-40.
The Cowgirls’ responded back, retaking the lead after going on a 19-3 run during the rest of the quarter, closing the frame 54-43.
Stephen Gutierrez/THE RIDER
McNeese’s defense continued to be relentless in the fourth quarter, keeping the Vaqueros from scoring, setting them further behind by 17 points.
Lord attributes the Vaqueros’ struggle to McNeese limiting Jalayah Ingram, a junior guard, from touching the ball.
“They doubled her the whole game,” he said. “Every time they made a basket, they made it hard to catch. She kind of makes us go, so great job on them. It was a great game plan.”
While UTRGV was able to also keep McNeese scoreless for three minutes during the final frame, they were not able to put in enough offensive plays either, ending the game at 67-52 along with the university’s run in the SLC tournament.
The game was also O’Keefe’s last game with UTRGV, who said she always knew there would be an end, but tried to stay “really present.”
“I’m just so grateful to have had this opportunity,” O’Keefe said. “To put this jersey on and play here, has been the most fulfilling experience of my life.”
Stephen Gutierrez/THE RIDER
