Game 6: LSU def. Virginia Tech, 70-40
BATON ROUGE — LSU’s 10th-ranked women’s basketball team won the 2006 Basketball Travelers Classic in convincing fashion with a 70-40 victory over Virginia Tech in the title game on Tuesday night in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
The Lady Tigers (3-0) had three players reach double figures led by tournament MVP Sylvia Fowles with a game-high 14 points and eight rebounds. Quianna Chaney, a member of the All-Tournament team, added 12 points and Porsha Phillips had 10 points and five rebounds off the bench.
LSU jumped out to an early 7-2 lead, never trailed and used a 10-0 run midway through the first half to pull away for good. The Lady Tigers led 37-19 at the break.
Kirby Copeland, also a member of the All-Tournament team, led Virginia Tech (2-2) with 14 points, five rebounds and six assists.
Erica White sparked LSU with seven points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals, while RaShonta LeBlanc, an All-Tournament team selection, had nine points in the victory.
“Coming into to this game we had some specific goals and one thing we have been trying to improve upon the last few nights is taking care of the basketball. We did a really good job of that tonight with only seven turnovers,” LSU head coach Pokey Chatman said. “We wanted to do a good job of rebounding because they (Virginia Tech) are a team that averaged 15 offensive rebounds a game. Also, we want to continue our ability to play defense at a high level. I feel like we accomplished most of those things.”
LSU committed just seven turnovers in the game and four came in the first four minutes of the contest.
The Lady Tigers shot 45.5 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Hokies, 38-30. LSU’s defense held Virginia Tech to 33.3 percent shooting and forced 23 turnovers and allowed just eight VTU offensive rebounds and six second chance points.
Howard’s Shannon Carlisle and West Virginia’s Sparkle Davis were also named to the All-Tournament team.
The Lady Tigers host UL-Lafayette in the Maravich Center on Thursday at 7 p.m. CST, putting the nation’s longest home-court win streak of 34 on the line.
LSU HEAD COACH POKEY CHATMAN QUOTES
Opening statement…
“Coming into to this game we had some specific goals and one thing we have been trying to improve upon the last few nights is taking care of the basketball and we did a really good job of that tonight with only seven turnovers. We wanted to do a good job of rebounding because they (Virginia Tech) are a team that averaged 15 offensive rebounds a game. Also, we want to continue our ability to play defense at a high level and not commit so many fouls that send the opponent to the free throw line.”
On how the team improved as the tournament went along…
“It was the second game where our defensive intensity and intelligence picked up. As the tournament went on we started gaining momentum on defense. I think about five minutes before halftime tonight we had some possessions that we didn’t execute the way we would have liked. Those are some of the things that we are going to watch on tape starting Wednesday and try to correct.”
LSU PLAYER QUOTES
On how she feels about the game…
“Personally, I felt that I got off to a slow start. My team did a great job getting to the paint and where we need to be on the floor. I felt okay, but I didn’t feel I came out as strong as I did yesterday.”
On how she felt Virginia Tech’s center played…
“She played good for the most part. Basically, mentally I locked her down. I did what I needed to do and my team helped me get to that point.”
On how she thinks the team looked throughout the tournament…
“We didn’t show our full potential, but I think it was a good experience for those who don’t have as much experience with us, including our freshman, our incoming juniors and those from last year who didn’t get as much playing time. We showed out character, but we can do better on defense and taking care of the ball. It was a good experience.”
On she and Erica being on the court at the same time…
“I think us playing at the point at the same time is great because we both have the mindset of a point guard. The point guard is who runs the team so actually having two point guards out there with the same mentality is great for our team and as well as the coaching staff because we are able to help coach our team as well as take their advice.”
On how her game has improved…
“I’m still not where I want to be as far as my shot goes. As far as being physically fit I am able to get to the paint quicker and play defense. My defense has improved a lot from last year.”
VIRGINIA TECH HEAD COACH BETH DUNKENBERGER
Opening Statement …
“I thought LSU played a great game tonight. Defensively, they are one of the best teams we will face all year with tremendous pressure. It got us rattled a little bit especially earlier in the game. Offensively, they did all of the things that you are supposed to do. They set good screens, and they hit open shots. They took care of the ball.”
On LSU’s defensive pressure …
“You got Sylvia Fowles inside. She is such a great defender, and is so good at stealing the ball. Everyone knows she is a great shot blocker, but when she gets around on defense, she has a lot of deflections there. Then you have great ball pressure from the guards. Their guards are very athletic. They work hard on the ball too.”
Game 5: West Virginia def. Howard, 84-61
BATON ROUGE ? Five players scored in double figures to lead the West Virginia women’s basketball team to an 84-61 victory over Howard in the final day of the three-day Basketball Travelers Classic on Tuesday evening in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
The Mountaineers (1-2) trailed 41-39 at the break, but outscored the Bison, 45-20, in the final 20 minutes for the victory.
Chakhia Cole led the way for WVU with 21 points, while Olayinka Sanni added 18 points and 12 rebounds. Ashley Powell had 14 points and eight assists off the bench, while LaQuita Owens added 13 points and 10 boards and Sparkle Davis chipped in with 11 points.
Shannon Carlisle led Howard with 22 points and five rebounds.