HOT SPRINGS - The Sun Belt Conference Championships appearance by the University of New Orleans women's basketball team came to the end an a 73-43 loss to UALR in the semifinals of the league tournament at Summit Arena on Monday afternoon.
The score, identical to the outcome between the two teams on Feb. 27, came as Chastity Reed scored a SBC tournament single-game record 41 points to lead top-seeded UALR (26-5) to their 21st win in a row. Reed's 41 points became the new standard, just one day after Middle Tennessee's Alysha Clark established a new league record with 40 points.
The victory by the Trojans puts them into the league championship game on Tuesday afternoon, where they will face the winner of the second semifinal between No. 2 MT and No. 3 Western Kentucky for the league's automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.
The loss ended the journey for a UNO (12-20) squad that reached the league semifinals for the first time since 1998 by dispatching No. 5 Florida Atlantic in the first round and No. 4 Denver in the quarterfinals.
Monday's appearance was also the final one for the women's basketball program in the SBC, as the school has announced it will withdraw from the league this summer and participate next year as a Division I independent with plans of transitioning to Division III.
Senior Brittany Helm scored a team-high 16 points to finish her Lady Privateer career ranked ninth all-time with 1,139 points. Nicole Holmes added 13 points while Candice McGee was the leading rebounder for the squad with seven.
UALR made the most of a stagnant UNO offense in the first half to gain control of the game and entered the break with a 36-11 lead.
After Helm made a lay-up with 11:26 remaining in the opening half, the Lady Privateers committed their first turnover of the contest with 10:50 left before the break on their next possession. Helm's basket represented the last UNO field goal of a first half that saw the Lady Privateers shoot 4 of 21 from the field for a 19 percent clip.
Following the basket, UALR outscored UNO 20-2 heading into the half, with 16 of the points coming directly off of 13 UNO turnovers.
Rachele Monroe would make the first field goal in 12 minutes for UNO when she connected with 19:43 remaining in the contest. At that point however, it was much too late as the Trojans built a lead as large as 35 points with 11:32 left in the game.
The Lady Privateers finished the game with just four turnovers in the second half, reaching 17 for the game. UNO shot 40.5 percent in the second half and finished with a 32.8 percent clip for the game, compared to UALR's 46 percent clip.
AMY CHAMPION, UNO Head Coach
Opening Statement...
“I think we all know that we were not supposed to be here in this game today. I think there was a lot that surrounded our ability to get here and perform under the circumstances we have been dealing with all year – circumstances that have been out of our control. Regardless of the outcome of the game today, as their coach and representation of UNO, I could not be prouder of my team and my staff for being able to endure and survive some of the things we have had to throughout this year. I am probably one of the proudest coaches in this building right now, and some may think I am crazy because of the score. It is about a lot more than the score today. Our story is long and its complex, for us to come out today and even be here it is quite an accomplishment in my mind and something to be very prideful for.”
Extend the trip a couple of days...
“When we arrived, we didn't know the trip was going to be as long as it has been. We were expecting a short trip, but it has been nice to stay and enjoy as a participant in the tournament. It is rewarding, we worked hard – as hard as most teams here – and had great expectations throughout the year. A lot of things didn't go as planned and a lot of distractions set in for multiple reasons. But again we are proud to be here and be a part of this game.”
Kids having tired legs after two games...
“I think playing three straight days with the intensity level you play at during a conference level, it was fatigue. We got off to a slow start; we couldn't hit shots and could have been for multiple reasons. Nothing against Little Rock at all, they are a great team, but for us I think we were a little leery.”
Middle and UALR, NCAA selection...
“In my mind, I feel that this league should be well rewarded with the conference champion and an at-large. I think maybe today's game probably couldn't be a factor for them to consider, but I think tomorrow's game will be. Both teams have shown throughout the course of the year, both receiving AP votes as the year progressed, I think they are two of the most talented teams in the Southeast.”
Keep them off the glass...
“Brittany has been a warrior for us. She has been consistent year in and year out, and she is the one that every night you could count on producing. She is a tremendous athlete, extremely competitive – probably one of the most competitive kids I have coached – who hates to lose. She is basketball savvy, and she has really carried this program over the years. And I can't take anything away from Candice McGee. You have to mention Candice; she has been our anchor on the inside throughout the years. Kudos to our seniors; all five have held this program together, and we couldn't have done anything without them and we couldn't be prouder.”
JOE FOLEY, UALR Head Coach
Opening Statement...
“We started the game off extremely well. We knew we wanted to pressure New Orleans as much as we could to see if the fatigue factor would kick in. We did a great job on defense by getting in the passing lanes and causing a lot of turnovers. We got some easy baskets and broke the game open and I thought that was the key to the ball game, getting started like that.”
On Chastity breaking the single game scoring record...
“I don't think there is any doubt I think both of them are great players and both of them have had great years. Alysha Clark's a senior and she has had a heck of a career and Chastity is having a heck of a career for us. It is very fitting for both of them kind of going back and forth.”
On making the NCAA tournament...
“You just can't ever tell it depends on what happens across the country, what teams get in and what teams win or lose. We have done all we can do and I don't think we could have done anymore. We won 21 games in a row so I don't know how we could do anymore.”
CHASTITY REED, UALR
On breaking Alysha Clark's record...
“Not at all; I don't think about that kind of stuff when I am playing. Coach Foley told us to get four passes in the huddle and slow it down a little bit. I just played and didn't think too much about it. I play the game more on defense than offense.”
On the game tomorrow...
“A rematch with Middle, we have been thinking about that all year. The game we played in January it will be a lot tougher than that. We have to get ready mentally and physically. We have to get off our legs and doing everything we need to possibly to win that game. We are expecting Middle but we will be prepared for Western but we really want that rematch.”
