WTAMU claims ninth LSC Championship with 85-73 win over UCO
It was only fitting the two best teams in the conference with the two best players met in the Lone Star Conference Tournament Championship Game.
But in this showdown of the two No. 1 seeds, one team relied on the two-point basket, while the other team went for the 3.
Fortunately for West Texas A&M, it was the Lady Buffs who were sizzling from the outside, drilling 10 3-pointers, including nine in the first half on their way to an 85-73 win over Central Oklahoma in Sunday's tournament final at Bruin Field House.
LSC South Player of the Year Emily Brister shined for the third straight game, scoring 28 points on her way to being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
UCO's Lizzie Brenner, the Co-Player of the Year in the North Division, was plagued by foul trouble, posting 12 points and five rebounds before fouling out with 8:25 to play.
The Lady Buffs (26-4) not only claimed their ninth LSC tournament title, but all but locked up the No. 1 seed in next week's South Central Regional Tournament, which is expected to be held in Canyon, Texas.
West Texas finished the game 10-of-16 from 3-point range while UCO hit only 3-of-13 from beyond the arc.
While Brister led the Lady Buffs once again, she wasn't alone in leading the charge. Holly Isaacs joined Brister on the all-tournament team, scoring a career-high 16 points, including four 3-point baskets in the first half. Jamie Dreiling scored 19 points while Joni Unruh added 10.
UCO, the top seed in the LSC South, falls to 23-7, but the Bronchos will likely be one of the higher seeds in the regional tournament.
Brenner and Cassidy Pillow, who had 15 points were both named to the all-tournament team, along with Abilene Christian's Audrey Maxwell and Angelo State's Lindsey Leatherman.
The Lady Buffs came out firing from beyond the arc, hitting eight of their first 10 3-point attempts, led by Isaacs and Brister, who each made four 3-pointers in the game.
West Texas A&M led 23-10 with 13:29 to play on Brister's 3-pointer from the corner. The lead was pushed to 15 on another trey from Brister with 7:32 left in the first half. West Texas went into the locker room with even more momentum after Chelsea Blackshear nailed a 3-pointer for a 52-37 lead.
The Lady Buffs opened the second half just like the first with Brister hitting a 3-pointer to push the lead to 18.
The Bronchos tried to chip away, cutting the lead down to nine on three occasions, but couldn't get any closer.
Brenner committed her fourth foul at 11:03 and went to the bench. She returned at 8:22 with West Texas leading by 11. But on the next trip down the floor, Brenner and Joni Unruh were called for a double-foul, sending her to the bench for the rest of the game.
From there, the Lady Buffs dominated from the foul stripe, hitting 18-of-20 free throws in the second half and were 25-of-29 for the game. Both Brister and Dreiling were 8-of-8 from the line.
West Texas A&M defeated UCO 73-60 back on Dec. 6 in Edmond, Okla. in the only regular-season meeting between the two teams.
2008 LSC All-Tournament Team:
Emily Brister, West Texas A&M (MVP)
Holly Isaacs, West Texas A&M
Lizzie Brenner, Central Oklahoma
Cassidy Pillow, Central Oklahoma
Audrey Maxwell, Abilene Christian
Lindsey Leatherman, Angelo State
WTAMU QUOTES
Krista Gerlich:
"All I can say, that these girls are amazing. We came out firing
on
all cylinders. We really went to war early and set the tone with
the
way we came out. We talk at halftime about playing not to lose and
to
keep attacking. I have never been more proud of them. This is what
we
have been working towards all year."
On hitting nine 3's
We've not seen much of a zone against other teams. We are a very
good
3-point shooting team. Holly knows when I gave her the green
light.
(Isaacs adds: "December 18th) She's been great all year. That is
the
most 3 pointers that many of our players have shot by Emily,
Holly...I
can't imagine what was going through Guy's head.
On Jamie Dreiling
She's been great all year. She has been asked to play out of
position.
I am proud of the way she stepped it up tonight. She came ready
to
play and get after it.
On Her First LSC Tournament Title
This is very special. I am speechless. It's all about the ladies.
To
go through the entire Lone Star Conference with just one blemish
is
amazing. It's been a mission. Now you can say 'Mission
Accomplished.'
On the WT Defense:
Our key has been its pressure. I don't think I understand how
much
pressure our defense
Emily Brister:
On being matched up against Lizzie Brenner:
She's a great player. I think we held her under averages of points
and
rebounds. She got frazzled early.
Holly Isaacs
On hitting the 3's
I felt every time I got the ball that Central was no where to be
found.
On the feeling of winning the championship:
I remember someone saying in the locker room 'Remember this is why
we
ran mountains.' This is what we have been working for since
August.
UCO NOTES
Guy Hardaker
"It was a tough battle for our team. We got in a hole early. As
they
were hitting their 3's and they were adding up in a hurry to our
2's.
This is a tough loss but we will grow from it.
Facing a hot team
"They are just one notch above us. We had a difficult time with
their
off-the-dribble penetration as they were getting some easy looks.
We
found ourselves in an uphill battle."
On the team's play in the 2nd half
"We were able to stop the 3 ball in the 2nd half. We teach
help
defense on the penetration. We were able to guard the ball with a
lot
more intensity. But, the intensity gets better when you are
trailing.
On Lizzie Brenner
"I need to have our best two players on the floor. Lizzie was in
foul
and so was Cassidy. I subbed them for one another. But, our
girls
continued to battle them. It was good for our young girls Taylor
... and
Austin Beckley to get this type of experience.
Cassidy Pillow
"We have played team like that and been able to make a comeback.
But
not tonight....We have a lot to look forward. We will need to
practice
harder and fight harder, the next time.
West Texas A&M Notes
The Lady Buffs claimed their ninth LSC Tournament title and improved to 8-5 in LSC Tournament championship games . . . West Texas A&M is now has 32 wins in LSC Tournament history, the most by any team in the conference . . . . Brister hit 28-of-33 free throws in the three tournament games . . Brister has now scored in double figures in all 30 games this season and posted her 22nd game of at least 20 points . . . Holly Isaacs scored in double figures for just the sixth time . With 12 points in Saturday's semifinal, Isaacs scored in double digits in consecutive games for just the second time this year . . . West Texas has now won 10 straight games for the second time this season . . . Unruh scored in double figures for the sixth time and the first time in six games.
Central Oklahoma Notes
The Bronchos played in their first LSC Tournament final since 1992 . . . UCO is now 0-3 against West Texas A&M in tournament games, losing in 2003 and 2007 before this season . . . Lizzie Brenner has 520 points this season, second on UCO's single-season scoring mark. Brenner needs 70 points for the record. . . . Brenner ranks third on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,242 points . . . UCO is now 7-11 in LSC Tournament games . . . The Bronchos fall to 17-4 in games scoring in 70 points or more . . . Five of the Bronchos' seven losses have occurred when trailing at half time . . . UCO out-rebounded West Texas A&M 38-26, marking only the second time in 15 games this season to lose when winning the rebounding battle.
2008 LSC All-Tournament Team:
Emily Brister, West Texas A&M (MVP)
Holly Isaacs, West Texas A&M
Lizzie Brenner, Central Oklahoma
Cassidy Pillow, Central Oklahoma
Audrey Maxwell, Abilene Christian
Lindsey Leatherman, Angelo State
