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KATY, Texas – Eighth-seed Houston Baptist University came into its first Southland Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament game with an attitude of nothing to lose, yet left the Merrell Center court one step closer to gaining everything.
The Huskies used the momentum of Ana Strickland’s 16 points and 20 rebounds as they handed fifth-seed McNeese State a 70-68 defeat on Thursday afternoon to advance to Friday’s game against fourth-seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi while sending the Cowgirls to their earliest tourney exit since 2009.
“At key times, I thought we were composed down the stretch,” said HBU coach Donna Finnie. “That’s been a problem for us this year, but in the last few games, we’ve done a better job.”
That composure was tested as the Huskies (13-17) withstood a series of surges from the Cowgirls (17-13), who trailed 37-20 with 4:42 in the first half before finally gaining their only lead of the game on Jayln Johnson’s basket with 3:22 left that gave them a 61-59 edge.
“We talked about it at halftime that this is a team that will never give up,” said Finnie. “I know (McNeese State coach Brooks Donald Williams’) team is never going to back down. We expected it and we dealt with it.”
Strickland helped the Huskies deal with it on both ends, as the junior also added five blocks to go along with three assists, as HBU’s ability to control the glass keyed the win. The Huskies had a 51-33 rebounding edge, including 19 on the offensive end that resulted in 12 second chance points.
While rebounding was part of the story, much of the victory was how the Huskies were able to contain first-team all-conference guard Allison Baggett, who was never able to get her offensive attack in gear. Baggett was held to just 4 of 21 from the field and finished with 11 points as HBU guard Heidi Sihvola shadowed her for much of the game.
Finnie also pointed to the play of forward Monet Neal, who had 11 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots.
“As coaches, we talk about what a phenomenal game she’s having, and then you look at the stat sheets and it doesn’t really show why we feel that,” said Finnie.
Despite shooting 37 percent from the field, McNeese State’s aggressive defense forced 18 turnovers that allowed them to chip away at HBU.
The Cowgirls closed to within 66-65 on Amber Donnes’ basket with 13 seconds left, but Donnes missed the free throw that would have tied the game. On the ensuing possession, Tayler Jefferson was fouled hard, which resulted in an intentional foul that finally swung the momentum to the Huskies.
“In my mind, I was thinking, ‘yes, this is perfect,’” said Jefferson, who hit both free throws to give HBU a 68-65 lead before Sihvola’s two freebies clinched the victory.
Jefferson scored 13 points for the Huskies, while Erin McGarrachan had 12 points and six boards.
Johnson, a second-team all-conference selection, led McNeese State with 17 points. Talisa Boyd, one of just two seniors on the roster, had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Cowgirls.
“Our future is extremely bright,” said Williams, who had 12 freshmen and sophomores on the roster. “I’m really excited about moving forward.”
POSTGAME QUOTES
Houston Baptist
Head Coach Donnie Finnie
Opening statement…
“Just a great team performance. You can’t really single out one person because I thought every single kid that stepped on the floor did a great job in different ways. I’m looking at this stat sheet for the first time and I’m kind of amazed looking Anna’s [Strickland] rebounds. She’s been great on the boards all year, but 20 boards is a lot from you, Anna, but you got help from other people. At key times, I thought we were very composed down the stretch. That’s been a problem for us this year and the last few games we’ve done a better job and none better than today.”
On McNeese State’s comeback…
“I’m kind of glad they had their biggest run in the first half. We talked about it halftime, McNeese is a team that never gives up. They’re extremely well coached and I have tremendous respect for Coach Brooks [Donald Williams]. I know how she is and I knew her team was never going to back down.”
Junior Forward Anna Strickland
On jumping out to the early lead…
“It was really important for us to get ahead, just for our confidence. We’ve struggled lately in conference and we came in as the bottom seed and no one was expecting it, but we knew we were ready to play and prove people wrong. We were just ready to go.”
On his career coming to an end…
“I’ve been through so much these past four years. Honestly and truthfully I thought I was done last year and I got blessed with an opportunity to play for coach Ladner and everything just kind of fell into place perfectly. Then I get here and I end up playing with some high character guys and that’s something that was real important to me.”
Senior Guard Tayler Jefferson
On guarding McNeese State guard Jayln Johnson…
“In my mind, I knew she wanted to attack the whole time so I was just thinking, force her left. Early one in the game I played off too much and she hit a big 3-pointer and that gave her confidence and she hit a few more after that. Once it came to the end I knew her and [Allison] Baggett wanted the ball in their hands so I needed to step up.”
McNeese State
Head Coach Brooks Donald Williams
Opening statement…
“Hats off to Houston Baptist. I thought they were extremely well coached and played with a lot of effort and fire from the start. Felt like they couldn’t miss and do much wrong and they did a fantastic job. Hats off to their staff and to their players for playing so well.”
On being eliminated in the first round…
“Most of all I’m disappointed for the girls and the experience here. Obviously as a coach you just want it for them so badly. We wanted them to have a successful year and we felt like we had the tools to do that. It’s really sad and unfortunate for them.”
Junior Guard Allison Baggett
On falling behind early…
“We didn’t come out attacking or we were nervous. We let our nerves get to us maybe. I thought we settled down and we cut the big lead they had on us, but it wasn’t enough.”