Lamar Beats McNeese State for First Southland Tournament Title Since 2000
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By Brandon C. Williams
Southland.org
KATY, Texas -- Two weeks ago, Lamar coach Pat Knight called out
his program.
Message sent.
The Cardinals affirmed they heard Knight crystal clear on
Saturday, unloading a 14-0 first half run on McNeese that laid the foundation
to a 70-49 win that placed them into the NCAA tournament for the first time
since 2000.
"I told these guys right at my press conference that the reason I
took (the job) was because of them," said Knight, who turned a program that had
gone 18-30 in conference play the previous three seasons into a 23-11 squad
that will enter the tournament with six consecutive wins. "I thought we could
win right away."
Much has been made of Knight's postgame comments following a
February 22 loss to Stephen F. Austin, in which he said his seniors were
"stealing money by being on scholarship." While the comments gained national
attention, it was the response of his team which spoke loudest.
"It's these guys stepping up," said Knight. "The rant was to try
to get them motivated. I thought they were tough enough to take it. If I had
team full of soft kids or if I were teaching in a big school, I would have had
a revolt."
Lamar did revolt on Saturday, staking their claim on the
tournament title after McNeese (17-15) jumped out to an 8-2 lead with 15:45
left in the first half. The deficit served as another light under the
collective ends of the Cardinals, who opened the contest by missing 10 of their
first 13 shots.
Led by the backcourt of tournament most valuable player Mike
James, and all-tourney members Devon Lamb and Anthony Miles, the Cardinals
proceeded to slowly take the momentum away from the Cowboys, who were
undermanned in the post with the absence of Daniel Richard (dehydration) and
Rudy Turner (shoulder).
"It changed the complexity," said McNeese coach Dave Simmons. "To
win a game like this, you have been inside, and we couldn't get to the foul
line."
The presence of Osas Ebomwonyi also altered the Cowboys' plans
inside. The 6-foot-11 sophomore came off the bench and recorded six blocks to
go along with nine points and nine rebounds in 25 minutes.
"The kid can defend," said Knight. "He really changed the game for
us."
Lamar took control of the glass and took the lead for good on a
basket from Lamb that made it 16-15 with 7:49 in the half. The basket helped
usher in a 21-2 run that turned a 13-8 deficit into a 29-15 edge that the Cards
never relinquished.
As has been their theme throughout the tournament, Lamar's defense
set the stage for victory, as the Cardinals held McNeese (17-15) to a paltry 31
percent from the field while holding league player of the year Patrick Richard
to a 4-for-20 afternoon.
Despite their shooting woes, the Cowboys opened the second half
with an 11-2 run that brought them within 35-33 at the 15:29 mark. They would
come no closer as Lamar responded with a 22-6 run that James (26 points, nine
rebounds) capped off with a pair of baskets that put the game and the bleak
memories away for the Cardinals.
"We did it," said Miles (eight points, eight rebounds). "I
couldn't ask for anything more."
Lamar is 5-5 in NCAA tournament play, with the school's last win
coming in 1983 when the 11th seeded Cardinals shocked sixth-seed Alabama in the
opening round.
For the second consecutive season, McNeese was denied a chance to
join their women's team into the NCAA tournament, leaving the 1997 men's and
women's teams from Texas State as the only school to pull off the feat.
Patrick Richard and Dontae Cannon were chosen to the
all-tournament team for McNeese.
All-Tournament Team
Mike James, Lamar (MVP)
Patrick Richard, McNeese State
Anthony Miles, Lamar
Dontae Cannon, McNeese State
Devon Lamb, Lamar
Postgame Quotes
Lamar head coach Pat Knight
On his team's play the last six games...
"These guys [Anthony Miles, Devon Lamb
and Mike James] have been stepping up. They have done it all year, but the rant
was just used to get them motivated, and I thought they were tough enough to
take it. These guys have been a joy to coach, and I am going to miss them.
Greatness, no matter how brief, always sticks with people. These guys will be a
big part of the Lamar family."
On Osas Ebomwonyi's play in the championship...
"He can defend and can make shots
around the bucket. He doesn't try to do things that he can't do. He has been a
big force for us. He changes the game. The best thing about him is that I have
him for two more years. But he really changed the game for us."
On the championship game atmosphere...
"The fans made it like a home game. It
was unbelievable when I walked out. Our fans have been great at home, and to
come up here, it gave us the advantage today. They were unbelievable. They were
up the whole game and I don't think we could have done it without them."
Lamar senior guard Anthony Miles
On making the NCAA tournament...
"I knew that we had talent on this
team, and hiring Coach Knight just meshed it all together. After three years in
a row of not making the conference tournament, I will take that if this is the
result. It was a long, hard-fought season, and we just did it."
Lamar senior guard Mike James
On the team's 21-1 run in the first half...
"We just played hard and knew the
scouting report. I think we came out playing a little lackadaisical, but then
we settled down and realized it was our basketball that we were supposed to
play."
Lamar senior guard Devon Lamb
On making the NCAA tournament...
"It is a really good feeling. We have
made it so far, and it is finally happening. Now we are going to the NCAA
tournament, and hopefully we can win that. Why not? I'm ready to win."
McNeese State head coach Dave Simmons
Opening statement...
"I am proud of these guys. We came
to fight today, and we just came up a little short. It was one of those games
where we come into this came with no excuses. We limped into this tournament
and won two games to put ourselves into position to win. We just came up short
today. We were fighting a tough Lamar basketball. We won with some kids that gave
their heart out for a university and a coaching staff. I am proud of them.
Winning on the scoreboard doesn't always justify what you have gone through
this year. The bottom line is that we reach some of the goals we wanted to
reach, but we just came up short."
On not having Rudy Turner and Daniel Richard available for the
game...
"It was a huge difference and it
changed the complexity. Rudy and Daniel are our inside presence, and it win a
game like this, you have to be inside. "
On his team...
"This team has true character. If you
want to test a man's spirit, when he is at his low, see what he is made of.
When put in a situation, these kids responded every time. They even responded
today, but it just didn't happen for us on the clock. But they responded with
character, and that is all we always preach."
McNeese State senior forward Patrick Richard
On the team heading into the game ...
"We came ready to play. Lamar just
played better basketball tonight. There are no excuses. Big ups to Lamar, they
came out and played a better game than us, and they are now going to the NCAA
tournament. Good luck to them."
McNeese State junior guard Dontae Cannon
On Patrick Richard...
"Pat is a great leader on and off the
court. Before every game, he gets everyone motivated. He is a real hard worker
and everyone feeds off that. We will have to pick up the slack next year,
knowing that Pat is not in the locker room."