McNEESE STATE 2013-14 McNeesewbb Women s Basketball Contact: Pam LaFosse plafosse@mcneese.edu Office (337) 475-5926 Cell (337) 274-9981 2013-14 Schedule/Results THIS WEEK S SCHEDULE Overall: 4-3 SLC: 0-0 H: 2-0 A: 2-2 N: 0-1 Date Opponent Time/Result Nov. 8 Wiley College W 88-69 Nov. 11 at Tulane L 74-49 Nov. 14 Rice W 65-54 Nov. 19 at Texas Southern L 71-55 Nov. 27 at Fairleigh Dickinson W 69-62 Nov. 29 #LIU Brooklyn W 71-57 Nov. 30 #Georgia Tech L 69-60 Dec. 11 UL-Monroe 7 p.m. Dec. 17 Louisiana Tech 7 p.m. Dec. 19 Southern (N.O.) 7 p.m. Dec. 28 at Baylor 7 p.m. Jan. 2 *Southeastern La. 5:30 p.m. Jan. 4 *New Orleans 1 p.m. Jan. 9 *at Sam Houston State 5:30 p.m. Jan. 11 *at Lamar 4 p.m. Jan. 16 *Texas A&M-CC 5:30 p.m. Jan. 18 *Houston Baptist (ESPN3) 1 p.m. Jan. 21 *Nicholls (Civic Center) 5:30 p.m. Jan. 30 *Central Ark. (Civic Center) 5:30 p.m. Feb. 1 *Oral Roberts (Civic Center) 1 p.m. Feb. 6 *at NW State (ESPN3) 5:30 p.m. Feb. 8 *at Stephen F. Austin 4 p.m. Feb. 13 *at Southeastern La. 5 p.m. Feb. 16 *at New Orleans 2 p.m. Feb. 22 *at Nicholls 1 p.m. Feb. 27 *Incarnate Word 5:30 p.m. Mar. 1 *Abilene Christian 1 p.m. Mar. 6 *at Texas A&M-CC 5 p.m. Mar. 8 *at Houston Baptist 3 p.m. Mar. 13-16 Southland Conference Championship (Katy, TX.-Merrell Center) #- LIU Brooklyn Turkey Classic *-Southland Conference Game Cowgirl Storyline s Coming off a 2-1 record in New York Placed second at the LIU Brooklyn Turkey Classic with win over LIU Brooklyn and a loss to Georgia Tech in the championship game Cecila Okoye and Allison Baggett were named to the LIU Brooklyn Turky Classic all-tournament team Freshman Victoria Rachal scored in double digits in all three games last week with a career high 21 pts. against Fairleigh Dickinson. Okoye named to 2013-14 SLC Preseason Team (2nd team) MON. Dec. 9 Practice 5-7 p.m. TUES. Dec. 10 Practice 3-5 p.m. WED. Dec. 11 vs. ULM 7 p.m. Burton THUR. Dec. 12 Practice 2-4 p.m. Burton NEXT GAME McNeese Cowgirls (4-3; 0-0 Southland Conference) vs. UL-Monroe Warhawks (3-3; 0-0 Sun Belt) Date: Wednesday, Dec. 11 Tipoff: 7 p.m. Site: Burton Coliseum Radio: McNeese Radio Network Cajunradio (1470 AM or 1290 AM) Website: Twitter: Facebook: McNeese Women s Basketball FRI. Dec. 13 Practice 2:30-4:30 p.m. Memorial Gym SAT. Dec. 14 Practice 9-12 p.m. Memorial Gym vs. SUN. Dec. 15 Practice 5-8 p.m. Memorial Gym Next Up: Following the UL-Monroe game, McNeese will host Louisiana Tech (Dec. 17) and Southern (N.O.) on Dec. 19 before breaking for the Christmas NOTES - Cowgirls are coming off a second place finish at the LIU Brooklyn Turkey Classic on Nov. 30 - Senior Cecilia Okoye and sophomore Allison Baggett were named to the LIU Brooklyn Turkey Classic all-tournament team - produced at 2-1 record last week in New York with wins over Fairleigh Dickinson and LIU Brooklyn. The loss came at the hands of Georgia Tech - Freshman Victoria Rachal had a break out weak last week by scoring in double figures all three games. She scored a career high 21 points against Faileigh Dickinson - The Cowgirls have two players averaging in double figures. Allison Baggett leads the team with 18.3 ppg. Cecilia Okoye is averaging 11.1 ppg. - Okoye also leads the team with 7.7 rpg. and NeTanya Jones is averaging 6.4 rpg. - Jayln Johnson is averaging 5.0 assists per contest Baggett and Okoye are both averaging in double figures with 18.3 ppg. and 11.1 ppg., respectively Okoye leads the team in rebounds with 7.7 per game Jayln Johnson is averaging 5.0 apg. PROBABLE COWGIRL STARTERS No. 1, Allison Baggett (5-9, So, G, Iota, La./Iota HS) 18.3 ppg., 4.1 rpg. No. 3, Jayln Johnson (5-5, So., G, Jennings, La./Jennings HS) 7.3 ppg., 5.0 apg. No. 12, Alaina Verdin (5-9, Jr., G, Houma, La./Terrebonne HS) 5.1 ppg., 2.3 rpg. No. 30, Cecilia Okoye (6-1, Sr., F, Mansfield, Tx./Tyler JC) 11.1 ppg., 7.7 rpg. No. 45, NeTanya Jones (6-4, Sr., C, Oakdale, La./Oakdale HS) 8.0 ppg., 6.4 rpg.
2013-14 Preseason Coaches Poll Rank Team (1st-Place Votes) 1. Stephen F. Austin 7 2. Oral Roberts 3 3. Nicholls 2 4. McNeese 5. Sam Houston State 6. Central Arkansas 7. Lamar 8. Nrthwestern State 9. Tecxas A&M-CC 10. Southeastern La. 11. New Orleans 12. Houston Baptist 2012-13 Preseason SID Poll Rank Team (1st-Place Votes) 1. Stephen F. Austin 7 2. Oral Roberts 1 3. Nicholls 1 4. McNeese T5. Sam Houston State T5. Lamar 7. Central Arkansas 8. Northwestern State 9. Southeastern La. 10. Texas A&M-Cc 11. New Orleans 12. Houston Baptist 2013-14 Preseason All-SLC Teams First Team Porsha Roberts, SFA KK Babin, Nicholls Courtney Duever, UCA Aja Gibson, SE La. Janelle Perez, NW State Second Team Cecilia Okoye, McNeese Sara Shelton, Oral Roberts Dominique Edwards, Lamar LiAnn McCarthy, Nicholls Antoinette Carter, SFA Gia Ayers, Lamar 2013-14 SLC Player of the Week 2013-14 La. Player of the Week 2013-14 All-Tournament LIU Brooklyn Turkey Classic Cecilia Okoye, Allison Baggett Jones Is An Allstate WBCA and NABC Good Works Team Nominee Senior NeTanya Jones is one of 202 student-athletes selected as a nominee for the 2014 Allstate WBCA and NABC Good Works Team. The award recognizes a select group of college basketball student-athletes who have mad significant contributitons to the greater good of their communities through volunteerism and civic service. Baggett Scores Career High In Season Opener Sophomore Allison Baggett opened the 2013-14 season with a career high 31 points against Wiley College. Baggett was 9 of 20 from the field and 12 of 16 from the free throw line. Okoye Records Double-Double in Season Opener Senior Cecilia Okoye recorded a doubledouble (14 pts., 11 reb.) in the season opener against Wiley College. The double-double is her eight career double-double. Johnson Records First Career Double-Double Freshman Jayln Johnson recorded her first career double-double (15 pts., 10 ast.) in the home opening win against Wiley College. Seven Newomers On The Squad The Cowgirls have seven newcomers on the 2013-14 team including six freshmen. New to the team is junior Talisa Boyd and freshmen Amber Donnes, Haily Jenkins, Victoria Rachal, Hannah Cupit, Diamond Willis and walk-on Raven Winslow. Rachal Scores A Career High In Win Over Fairleigh Dickinson Freshman Victoria Rachal had a break out week when the Cowgirls traveled to New York (Nov. 27-30) when she scored in double digits in all three games played that week. Rachal began the week with a career high 21 points in the win over Fairleigh Dickinson. Cowgirls Place Second at LIU Brooklyn Turkey Classic McNeese placed second at the LIU Brooklyn Turkey Classic Nov. 30 after falling 69-60 to Georgia Tech in the championship game. The Cowgirls advanced to the championship game after defeating LIU Brooklyn 71-57. Okoye, Baggett Named To All- Tournament Team Senior Cecilia Okoye and sophomore Allison Baggett were named to the LIU Brooklyn alltournament team. Both players averaged 14.5 ppg. and Okoye average 5.0 rpg. Okoye shot 75.0 % from the field and Baggett shot 42.9% from three-point range. Okoye Named To SLC Preseason Team Senior Cecilia Okoye has been named to the 2013-14 SLC preseason team as a second team selection. Okoye is the reigning SLC Newcomer of the Year. Cowgirls Picked To Finish Fourth In SLC Preaseason Polls The Cowgirls have been picked to finish fourth in the Southland Conference preseason coaches and SID polls that were released last week. The Cowgirls tied for fifth place last season with an 11-7 conference record.
MEDIA INFORMATION McNeese Sports Information Women s Basketball Contact... Pam LaFosse Office Phone...(337) 475-5926 Cell Phone...(337) 274-9981 E-mail address... plafosse@mcneese.edu Press Row Phone...(337) 562-4061 Website... INTERVIEW POLICY McNeese players and coaches are available to the media before and after practice, preferably 30 minutes prior to practice. All interviews should be coordinated by calling Pam LaFosse, assistant SID. Post-game interviews will be conducted followinga brief cooling off period. McNEESE ON THE INTERNET For the latest on, including game notes ans statistics, and a link to live streaming and stats, check out the McNeese Athletics Website at: McNeese On The Radio All Cowgirl games will be carried on the radio, KLCL (1470/1290 AM). Tyler Williams and Brian Benoit will call all the action. QUICK FACTS Location...Lake Charles, LA. Enrollment... 8,992 (est.) Founded...1939 Conference... Southland Colors...Blue/Gold Nickname...Cowgirls President...Dr. Philip Williams Athletics Director...Bruce Hemphill SWA...Bridget Martin Head Coach...Brooks Donald Williams Alama Mater (Year)...Mississippi State, 2000) Career Record (Years)...83-74 (5 yrs.) Record at McNeese (Years)...83-74 (5 yrs.) Assistant Coaches (Alma Mater, year): Kacie Cryer (LSU-Shreveport, 2008) Benjamin Law (Baylor, 1997) Tyria Snow (Tulane, 2013) WBB Office Phone...(337) 475-5473 Arena... Burton Coliseum Capacity...8,000 Press Row Phone...(337) 562-4061 2012-13 Overall Record... 26-8 2012-13 SLC Record (Finish)...13-3 (2nd) NCAA Tournament Appearances (Last)...2 (2012) WNIT Appearances...None WBI Appearances...1 (2013) Starters Returning/Lost... 2/3 Letterwinners Returning/Lost... 6/6 Redshirts Returning...2 Newcomers...5 2013-14 McNEESE COWGIRL ROSTER No. Name Pos Ht Cl Exp Hometown (Last School) 1 Allison Baggett G 5-9 So. 1L Iota, LA. (Iota HS) 3 Jayln Johnson G 5-5 So. 1L Jennings, LA. (Jennngs HS) 12 Alaina Verdin G 5-9 So. 1L Houma, LA. (Terrebonne HS) 20 Raven Winslow G 5-5 Fr. HS Natchitoches, LA. (Natchitoches Central) 22 Hannah Cupit G 5-8 Fr. HS Sulphur, LA. (Sulphur HS) 23 Amber Donnes G 5-9 Fr. HS Hammond, LA. (St. Thomas Aquainas) 24 Haily Jenkins G 5-9 Fr. HS Ben Wheeler, TX. (Martins Mill HS) 25 Diamond Willis G/F 6-1 Fr. HS Shreveport, LA. (Byrd HS) 30 Cecilia Okoye F 6-1 Sr. 1L Mansfield, TX. (Tyler JC) 32 Arianna James F 5-10 Sr. 1L Reno, NV. (Lon Morris JC) 33 Victoria Rachal G 5-7 Fr. 1L Natchitoches, LA. (Natchitoches Central) 34 Talisa Boyd F 6-0 Jr. TRF Natchitoches, LA. (NE Miss. CC) 45 NeTanya Jones C 6-4 Sr. 1L Oakdale, LA. (Oakdale HS) Head Coach: Brooks Donald Williams (Mississippi State, 2000), 7th Season Assistant Coach: Kacie Cryer (LSU-Shreveport, 2008), 3rd Season Assistant Coach: Benjamin Law (Baylor, 1997), 2nd Season Assistant Coach: Tyria Snow (Tulane, 2013), 1st Season PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Allison BAGGETT (bag-it) JAYLN (jay-lun) Johnson Alaina VERDIN (ver-dan) Hannah CUPIT (cue-pit) Amber DONNES (daw-nez) CECILIA OKOYE (cuh-seal-yuh uh-coy-a) ARIANNA (r-re-aun-uh) James Victoria RACHAL (rash-ell) NETANYA (nuh-tan-yuh) Jones TYRIA (tie-ruh) Snow. #10 and #11 Retired Prior to the Cowgirls Nov. 14 home game against Rice, McNeese retired the jerseys of twins Ashlyn and Caitlyn Baggett, two of the most prolific women s basketball players to come through the program. Number 10 and 11 are the first women s basketball jerseys retired in program history. During their careers, the Baggetts led McNeese to three consecutive postseason tournaments, the 2011 and 2012 NCAA Tournaments and the 2013 WBI. The two also helped McNeese to the 2011 Southland Conference regular season title and the 2011 and 2012 SLC Tournament titles. Both earned Southland Conference Tournament MVP honors, Ashlyn in 2011 and Caitlyn in 2012. Both players were three time All-Southland Conference picks as well as three time All-Louisiana selections. The duo notched their names in the McNeese record books as both ended their careers ranked second and third in career scoring. Ashlyn ended her career ranked second in scoring with 2,053 points while Caitlyn was third with 1,674 points. Ashlyn is only the second player in McNeese history to score 2,000 career points and the first to make 300 career three-pointers. Ashlyn is the McNeese and Southland Conference career three-point leader with 308. Caitlyn is McNeese s career assists leader with 550. Both players also rank among McNeese s career steals. Ashlyn ranks ninth with 180 and Caitlyn with 178. Caitlyn also holds the single game record for free throws made and consecutive free throws made. She canned 17 consecutive free throws in 2013 against Mercer in the first round of the WBI. Off the court, the players were just as outstanding as they were on the court. Both players were named to the Southland Conference All-Academic team three times. Ashlyn was named the league s Student-Athlete of the Year three consecutive times and was named to the 2011-12 Capital One District 6 Academic All-America Team. Caitlyn was awarded the prestigious Southland Conference Steve McCarty Citizenship award in 2013.
2012-13 COWGIRLS NOTES #1 Allison Baggett- leads the team in scoring with 22.5 ppg...has scored in double figures in six games...named to the LIU Brooklyn Turkey Classic all-tournament team #3 Jayln Johnson- opened the season with her first career double-double (15 pts., 10 assists) in win over Wiley College...leads the team with 35 assists #12 Alaina Verdin- averaging 5.1 ppg. and 2.3 rpg...scored in double figures once (Texas Southern)...shooting 50% from free throw line (7-14) #20 Raven Winslow - is one six freshmen on the team...is a walk-on #22 Hannah Cupit- saw her first action of the season against Fairleigh Dickinson...has three rebounds on the season #23 Amber Donnes- has played in all seven games...averaging 2.0 ppg. and 2.4 rpg... scored five points in home opener. #24- Haily Jenkens- made her collegiate debut in home opener against Wiley College... averaging 2.8 ppg. and 1.8 rpg. #25 Diamond Willis- is currently injured but is expected to return any day #30 Cecilia Okoye- leads the team with 7.7 rpg. and a 59.6 FG %...has scored in double figures in five games...has two double-doubles...named to the LIU Brooklyn Turkey Classic all-tournament team...is the reigning SLC Newcomer of the Year... SLC preseason second team... #32 Arianna James- averaging 3.1 rpg. and 5.7 ppg...grabbed double figure rebounds once. #33 Victoria Rachal- has scored in double figures in the last three games...scored a career high 21 points against Fairleigh Dickinson...has a team high 35.3 three-point field goal percent and a 88.9 free throw percent. #34 Talisa Boyd- made her debut as a Cowgirls and scored her first points of the season against Tulane...has played in five games...averaging 1.0 rpg. #45 NeTanya Jones- one of three seniors...second on the tema in rebounds with 6.4 per game...third on the team in scoring with 8.0 ppg...missed recording her first career double-double in season opener. Double Figure Scoring 2013-14...Career Allison Baggett 6...16 Cecilia Okoye 5...21 Jayln Johnson 1...7 Alaina Verdin 1...7 Arianna James 0...5 NeTanya Jones 2...4 Victoria Rachal 3...3 Double Figure Rebounding 2013-14...Career Cecilia Okoye 2...9 Arianna James 1...6 NeTanya Jones 1...2 Double - Doubles 2013-14...Career Cecilia Okoye 1...9 Arianna James 0...2 2013-14 GAME SCORING LEADER Allison Baggett...5 Arianna James...0 Jayln Johnson...1 Alaina Verdin...0 Cecilia Okoye...0 Victoria Rachal...1 2013-14 GAME REBOUND LEADER Cecilia Okoye...3 Arianna James...2 NeTanya Jones...2 2013-14 COWGIRL STATISTICAL LEADERS (as of Nov. 30) Scoring...Allison Baggett (18.3) FG Pct...Cecilia Okoye (59.6) Rebounds...Cecilia Okoye (7.7) 3-Pt. Pct...Victoria Rachal (35.3) FT Pct...Victoria Rachal (88.9) Assists... Jayln Johnson (5.0) Steals...Johnson, Donnes (0.9) Blocks... NeTanya Jones (0.7)
Miscellaneous State s McNeese s Record... Played at home...2-0 Played on the road...2-2 Played at a neutral site...0-1 When McNeese leads at the half...4-0 When opponent leads at the half...0-3 When game is tied at the half...0-0 When McNeese ourtrebouds opponents...2-0 When opponents outrebound McNeese...2-2 Whe rebounds are equal...0-1 When McNeese shoots 50% or better FG... 1-0 When McNeese shoots less than 50% FG...3-3 When teams FG percent is equal...0-0 When McNeese shoots more 3-pointers...2-1 When opponent shoots more 3-pointers...2-2 When teams shoot same 3-pointers...0-0 When McNeese shoots more free throws...2-1 When opponent shoots more free throws...2-1 When teams free throws is equal...0-1 When McNeese shoots 50% or better FT...4-3 When McNeese shoots less than 50% FT...0-0 When FT Percent Is Equal...0-0 When McNeese has more turnovers than opponent...2-1 When opponent has more turnovers than McNeese...2-1 When turnovers are equal...0-1 When McNeese blocks more shots...3-0 When opponent blocks more shots...1-3 When blocks are equal...0-0 When McNeese has more steals...1-0 When opponent has more steals...2-1 When steals are equal...1-2 When McNeese has more assists...3-1 When opponent has more assists...1-2 When Assists are equal...0-0 When McNeese s bench outscores opponent...2-1 When opponent s bench outscores McNeese...2-2 When both benches score the same...0-0 When McNeese scores 50 or fewer points...0-1 When McNeese scores 51-60 points... 0-2 When McNeese scores 61-70 points... 3-0 When McNeese scores 71-80 points... 1-0 When McNeese scores 81-90 points... 0-0 When McNeese scores more than 91 points...0-0 November Games...4-3 December Games...0-0 January Games...0-0 February Games...0-0 March Games...0-0 McNeese vs. Non-Conference Opponents SWAC... 0-1 Texas Southern (L 71-55) Conference USA... 1-1 Tulane (L 74-49), Rice (W 65-54) NEC... 2-0 Fairleigh Deickinson (W 69-62), LIU Brooklyn (W 71-57) ACC... 0-1 Georgia Tech (L 69-60) Sun Belt... 0-0 UL-Monroe WAC... 0-0 Louisiana Tech Red River Athletic Conference (NAIA)... 1-0 Wiley College (W 88-69) Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (NAIA)... 0-0 Southern (N.O.) McNeese Team Statistics UL-Monroe 4-3 Overall Record 3-3 0-0... SLC Record... 65.3... Points Per Game...73.2 39.7... Field Goal Percent...43.7 27.5... Three-Point Percent...29.5 68.2... Free Throw Percent...63.3 39.7... Rebounds Per Game...44.0 14.0... Turnovers Per Game...21.7 11.4... Assists Per Game...17.8 5.0... Steals...8.3 2.1... Blocks Per Game...3.8 2013-14 GAME-BY-GAME (Points, Rebounds, Assists) #1 #3 #12 #20 #22 #23 #24 Baggett Johnson Verdin Winslow Cupit Donnes Jenkins Wiley College 31/7/2 15/4/10 6/7/2 DNP DNP 5/3/2 1/2/0 at Tulane 14/5/1 3/1/4 8/3/1 DNP DNP 2/1/0 8/3/1 Rice 19/4/1 10/5/5 5/2/0 DNP DNP 5/2/1 4/1/1 at Texas Southern 18/4/1 2/0/0 11/1/0 DNP DNP 0/3/1 4/2/3 at Fairleigh Dickinson 17/3/4 3/2/2 4/1/0 DNP 0/2/1 0/3/2 0/2/0 at LIU Brooklyn 20/4/0 4/0/6 2/0/1 DNP DNP 0/3/1 0/1/2 vs. Georgia Tech 9/2/1 14/1/8 0/2/2 DNP 0/1/0 2/2/1 DNP UL-Monroe La. Tech Southern (N.O.) at Baylor Southeastern La. New Orleans at Sam Houston St. at Lamar Texas A&M-CC Houston Baptist Nicholls Central Arkansas Oral Roberts at NW State at Stephen F. Austin at Southeastern La. at New Orleans at Nicholls Incarnate Word Abilene Christian at Texas A&M-CC at Houston Baptist #25 #30 #32 #33 #34 #45 Willis Okoye James Rachal Boyd Jones Wiley College DNP 14/11/0 2/5/0 5/1/0 DNP 9/10/0 at Tulane DNP 4/4/1 0/6/1 0/2/1 3/2/0 7/5/1 Rice DNP 5/16/0 3/6/1 0/0/1 0/1/0 14/3/0 at Texas Southern DNP 15/5/0 6/3/1 0/2/0 0/0/0 2/10/0 at Fairleigh Dickinson DNP 11/8/0 5/5/0 21/5/1 0/0/0 8/4/0 at LIU Brooklyn DNP 16/3/1 9/8/2 14/2/0 0/2/0 6/4/1 vs. Georgia Tech DNP 13/7/0 0/4/0 12/0/2 DNP 10/9/0 UL-Monroe La. Tech Southern (N.O.) at Baylor Southeastern La. New Orleans at Sam Houston St. at Lamar Texas A&M-CC Houston Baptist Nicholls Central Arkansas Oral Roberts at NW State at Stephen F. Austin at Southeastern La. at Nicholls Incarnate Word Abilene Christian at Texas A&M-CC at Houston Baptist
2013-14 Southland Conference 2013-14 STANDINGS (as of Dec. 9) TEAM CONF OVR Abilene Christian 0-0 6-2 Incarnate Word 0-0 5-3 Texas A&M-CC 0-0 5-3 Nicholls 0-0 4-3 McNeese 0-0 4-3 Northwestern St. 0-0 4-3 Sam Houston St. 0-0 5-4 Lamar 0-0 4-4 Houston Baptist 0-0 3-4 Stephen F. Austin 0-0 3-6 Oral Roberts 0-0 1-6 Southeastern La. 0-0 1-8 New Orleans 0-0 0-7 UPCOMING SCHEDULE Dec. 10 UIW at Arkansas-Little Rock (7 p.m.) Dec. 11 UL-Monroe at McNeese (7 p.m.) NW State at La. Tech (6 p.m.) Dec. 14 Abilene Christian at Tulsa (2 p.m.) UNO vs. UL-Lafayette (4 p.m.) SFA vs. Grambling (6 p.m.) Dec. 15 HBU at Baylor (2 p.m.) SE La. at UTEP (3 p.m.) Lamar vs. Missouri State (1:05 p.m.) SHSU vs. Texas (3 p.m.) Dec. 16 UNO at North Carolina (5:30 p.m.) Oral Roberts vs. Northwestern (11 a.m.) Dec. 17 McNeese vs. La. Tech (7 p.m.) Nicholls at Texas A&M (11 a.m.) Texas Wesleyan at Abilene Christian (5:30 p.m.) Arkansas-Monticello at NW State (7 p.m.) Dec. 18 Univ. of St. Thomas at UIW (5:30 p.m.) Abilene Christian at Texas Christian (7 p.m.) Oral Roberts vs. Marquette (TBA) Dec. 19 McNeese vs. Southern (N.O)/ 7 p.m. HBU at Bakersfield (9 p.m.) Texas A&M-CC vs. Texas Southern (5 p.m.) Dec. 20 Nicholls at Bethune-Cookman (2 p.m.) NW State at Texas (7 p.m.) SE La. at Miss. State (7 p.m.) Abilene Christian vs. Florida Atlantic (8 p.m.) SHSU vs. Texas Christian (6 p.m.) SLC TEAM RANKINGS (ALL GAMES) Scoring Offense: 8th Scoring Defense: 5th Scoring Margin: 5th Free Throw Percent: 6th Field Goal Percent: 7th 3-Point FG Percent: 10th 3-Point FG Pct. Defense: 4th Offensive Rebounds: 7th Defensive Rebounds: 8th Rebounding Margin: 7th Blocks: t8th Assists: 10th Steals: 13th 3-Pointers Made: 8th Individual SLC Rankings (All Games) SCORING 3. Allison Baggett (18.3) 24. Cecilia Okoye (11.1) REBOUNDING 9. Cecilia Okoye (7.7) FIELD GOAL PERCENT 2. Cecilia Okoye (59.6) 3. NeTanya Jones (56.8) 1. Jayln Johnson (5.0) FREE THROW PERCENT t6. Jayln Johnson (81.0) 13. Cecilia Okoye (75.9) t14. Allison Baggett (1.6) DEFENSIVE 9. Cecilia Okoye (5.1) TEAM NCAA RANKINGS (343 RANKED) Scoring Offense: 211 Scoring Defense: 140 Scoring Margin: 164 FG Percent: 175 FT Percent: 176 Rebound Margin: 221 3-Pt. FG Per Game: 251 3-Pt. FG Percent: 236 3-Pt. FG Defense: 119 Assist per game: 265 Steals per game: 312 INDIVIDUAL NCAA RANKINGS (250 RANKED) Assist/Turnover Ratio Jaylne Johnson: 55 Assists Per Game Jayln Johnson: 64 Points Per Game Allison Baggett: 90 Rebounds Per Game Cecilia Okoye: 214
HEAD COACH BROOKS DONALD WILLIAMS 7th Season 108-92 Career Record 2011 SLC Coach of The Year 2011 & 2012 SLC Tournament Champs 2011 & 2012 NCAA Tournament 2013 WBI Tournament Three 20 win seasons (2011, 2012, 2013) For the third consecutive year, head coach Brooks Donald Williams led McNeese to a postseason tournament. Williams guided the Cowgirls to the WBI championship game in 2013 and back-to-back Southland Conference Tournament titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in 2011 and 2012. Williams has posted more than 20 win seasons in each of the last three seasons. McNeese picked up the programs first postseason victory last season with an 82-70 win over Mercer in the first round of the WBI. The Cowgirls posted a 3-1 record in the WBI, falling 73-62 to Detroit in the championship game. Last season, Williams posted a 21-15 overall record and 11-7 conference record and advanced to the Southland Conference Tournament for the third consecutive season and fifth in last six years. Williams also produced the Southland s Newcomer of the Year in Cecilia Okoye and the Student Athlete of the Year, Ashlyn Baggett for the third straight year. Williams picked up her 100th career victory with a 65-45 win over Northwestern State on March 13, 2013 in the opening round of the Southland Conference Tournament. Williams led McNeese to its most successful season in school history in 2011 by winning the Southland Conference regular season title, only the second in program history. Williams didn t stop there as she guided the Cowgirls to their first Southland Conference Tournament title and first NCAA Tournament appearance that year. For her accomplishments on the court, Williams was named the league s and Louisiana s Coach of the Year. In 2012, Williams led the Cowgirls to their second consecutive SLC Tournament title and NCAA Tournament. The Cowgirls nearly picked up their first NCAA Tournament win against Kentucky, falling 68-62 to the SEC regular season champions. The Cowgirls posted a 26-8 overall record and a 13-3 conference record and a 12-2 home record. Four of the eight losses were to teams ranked in the preseason Top 25 poll including the 2012 National Champs Baylor, UCLA, LSU and defending 2011 National Champions Texas A&M. The Cowgirls also played in the preseason WNIT (at UCLA) and hosted a WNIT consolation tournament, which the Cowgirls won versus Alabama Birmingham. Williams led the Cowgirls to a 26-7 overall record, 15-1 Southland Conference record, and an undefeated home record (15-0) during the 2010-11 season. The 20 win season was the first for the Cowgirls in 24 years. The overall record matched the best turnaround in NCAA history following a 7-22 record in 2009-10. The 26 overall and 15 conference wins are school records. The Cowgirls got off to their best conference start (6-0) in school history and the 14-5 start was the best overall start in 14 years. McNeese tied the school s longest winning streak (12 games) and won 19 of its last 21 games of the season. McNeese broke into a poll for the first time in school history, the collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Women s Basketball poll on Feb. 15, 2011, coming in at No. 25. The Cowgirls ended the season ranked No. 15 in the final poll. In 2009, McNeese picked up a milestone victory with a win over three-time National Champions Louisiana Tech. That year the Cowgirls shot a school record, led the Southland Conference (for the second straight year), and ranked 76th in the nation with a 71.8 free throw percent in 2009. The Cowgirls also ranked second in the SLC with a 34.3 three-point field goal percent. Off the court, Williams and the Cowgirls have participated in numerous community service activities including the Ethel Precht Breast Cancer Walk and the JD Bank Toys for Tots drive for the past six years. Williams has ignited a fan following in the community, speaking to groups about her passion and motivation about the revival and continued success of the program. Williams community and local recruiting efforts have increased attendance drastically. In 2010, Williams was recognized by Toys for Tots Southwest Louisiana for outstanding achievement in support of the community and Toys for Tots. Williams was named one of Southwest Louisiana s Up and Coming Under 40 recipients by the Times of Southwest Louisiana and Fusion Five in 2009. In 2009 Williams founded and directed the McNeese Lyrics and Layups fundraiser, which has evolved into an annual community event of the spring. In August of 2013 Williams received the President s Award for outstanding community service for McNeese administration. She currently serves as the WBCA Southland Conference Captain and is in her final year of a three-year term representing the SLC as a Regional Advisory Committee member for NCAA Division I Women s Basketball. Williams is also serving in her second year on the USA TODAY Top 25 Coaches Poll committee. In her first season, Williams guided the Cowgirls to a 10-21 record and second place tie in the East Division after being picked to finish sixth in the preseason polls. Williams led the Cowgirls to victories in four of their last six games and advanced to the Southland Conference Tournament. Williams 2007-08 squad broke seven McNeese records (six team and one individual), tied two, and set a Southland Conference record with 16 three-pointers made in a road victory at Lamar. The Cowgirls handed the Cardinals their first home loss of the season that night. The Cowgirls also upset longtime national powerhouse Stephen F. Austin and eventual Southland Conference Tournament champion and NCAA participant Texas-San Antonio. McNeese ended the season leading the league in free throw shooting percent, ranked second in three-point field goals made and assist-turnover ratio, and ranked third in three-point field goal percent. Williams, McNeese s ninth head coach, brought interest and excitement back to the Cowgirl program in her first season and has built it into a championship program. In her first full recruiting season at McNeese, Williams continued to show why she is a proven recruiter by signing the Louisiana 3A and 5A state MVP s and the Northeast Louisiana Player of the Year. Most recently, Williams signed the 2009 Louisiana Sports Writers Miss Basketball and Class B outstanding player and MVP, along with two local all-state players and a national junior college scoring leader. A native of Jennings, La., Williams spent three years at the University of Southern Mississippi. Prior to her stint with the Lady Eagles, she spent one season at the University of Memphis and three years at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. A proven recruiter, Williams served as recruiting coordinator at all three universities. She signed several prep standouts throughout her recruiting years and all three recruiting classes at Southern Miss ranked among some of the best in the nation. She signed the Arkansas Player of the Year, Mississippi Player of the Year, a junior college All-American, as well as ten Top 100 players in the country. While at Southern Miss, Williams helped the Eagles improve its program each year and went 15-15 her last season with a 9-7 record in Conference USA. Her 2005 class consisted of both the Mississippi and Arkansas prep Player of the Year as well as a junior college All-American. Her 2006 and 2007 recruiting classes included Louisiana all-state performers from Acadiana High, Jena High, Dominican High, and Dutchtown High School. Between college stops, Williams served temporarily as head coach at St. Thomas More High in Lafayette, La. As a prep player at Jennings High, Williams earned All-State, All-Parish and All-District honors. She was a four-year starter and played in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association all-star game, serving as team captain. Her Jennings squad won four straight district titles. Williams was also a member of the Acadiana Stars AAU program during her prep days, participating in state and national tournaments. She was a member of the Lady Bulldogs squad at Mississippi State University, from which she holds a bachelor degree, but her playing career was sidelined due to injuries. Williams is the daughter of Jennings community members, David and Brenda Donald and the granddaughter and great niece of Dan L. Donald and Walter Bunk Donald, former Jennings business leaders and owners of W.B. Donald Chevrolet and Cadillac and founders of Jeff Davis Bank & Trust Co. Williams uncle, Dan Donald, currently serves as Chairman of the board of Jeff Davis Bank & Trust Co. Williams has one brother, Seth Donald, who resides in Sewanee, TN. and is attending seminary. She has three nieces, Mary Brooks, Eliza, and Mae Donald. Williams family coaching mentor is her uncle and godfather, Doug Fowler. Coach Fowler, a 2008 Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame inductee is an extremely active leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a former Mississippi Association of Coaches executive director who served the coaching profession for over 40 years in the high school and collegiate ranks. The 35 year old is married to Tyler Williams of Memphis, Tn. Tyler currently serves as Vice President and Marketing Director for JD Bank.
WILLIAMS RECORD Career Record: 108-92; SLC Record: 56-42 2013-14 Record: 4-3; SLC Record: 0-0 Milestone Victories 1st- Dec. 17, 2007 vs. Texas Southern (61-50) 50th- Feb. 19, 2011 vs. NW State (73-63) 100th- March 13, 2013 vs. NW State (63-45) Year-by-Year Season Record Conf. Finish 2007-08 10-21 8-8 T-2nd (East Division) 2008-09 14-16 6-10 7th 2009-10 7-22 3-13 T-10th 2010-11 26-7 15-1 SLC Champs, SLC Tournament Champs, NCAA Tournament 2011-12 26-8 13-3 2nd SLC, SLC Tournament Champs, NCAA Tournament 2012-13 21-15 11-7 T-4th, WBI Tourn. Notable Victories 100th Win- defeated NW State 63-45 at SLC Tournament (March 13, 2013/Katy, Tx.) defeated La. Tech 71-66 (Jan. 3, 2009/Lake Charles) defeated Ole Miss 80-75 (Dec. 29, 2012/New Orleans) defeated Mercer 82-70 (Mar. 21, 2013) first postseason win WILLIAMS AT McNEESE - Three consecutive postseason appearances (2011-13) - Two NCAA Appearance (2011, 2012) - One WBI Appearance (2013) - WBI Runners-Up (2013) - Won first postseason game at Mercer in WBI (2013) - Back-to-back SLC Tournament title (2011, 2012) - First SLC regular season title (2011) - SLC Coach of the Year (2011) - School record wins (26/2011, 2012) - School record SLC Wins (15/2011) - First ever Mid-Major Poll Ranking (2011) Williams Against all opponents W L Alabama 0 1 Alabama-Birmingham 1 1 Arkansas-Monticello 1 0 Arkansas-Pine Bluff 1 0 Baylor 0 1 Centenary 5 1 Central Arkansas 5 8 Cincinnati 0 1 Colgate 1 0 Detroit Mercy 0 1 Elon 1 0 Fairleigh Dickinson 1 0 Georgia Tech 0 1 Houston Baptist 2 0 Jackson State 1 1 Kentucky 0 2 Lamar 6 4 Liberty 0 1 LIU Brooklyn 1 1 Louisiana Tech 1 3 LSU 0 2 Manhattan 0 1 Memphis 0 1 Mercer 1 0 Mississippi State 0 1 New Orleans 1 3 Nicholls 12 2 Norfolk State 1 1 Northwestern State 7 6 Oklahoma State 0 1 Ole Miss 1 0 Oral Roberts 2 1 Paul Quinn 1 0 Rice 1 1 Samford 0 2 Sam Houston State 4 3 South Dakota 1 0 Southeastern La. 9 4 Southern (N.O.) 2 1 Southern Miss 0 3 Stephen F. Austin 4 5 Talladega College 1 0 Texas A&M 0 2 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4 3 Texas College 2 0 Texas Pan American 1 0 Texas Southern 3 1 Texas State 4 2 Tulane 0 3 Tulsa 0 2 UCLA 0 1 UL-Lafayette 3 1 UL-Monroe 4 1 Univ. of Houston 3 1 Univ. of the Southwest 1 0 UT-Arlington 2 4 UT-Pan American 0 1 UTSA 4 3 Vanderbilt 0 1 Wiley College 2 0 Xavier (OH.) 0 1 TOTAL 108 92 Kacie Cryer Assistant Coach Benjamin Law Assistant Coach Tyria Snow Assistant Coach $- 2013 WBI Championship Game (Detroit, MI.) %-2013 WBI Second Round (Elon, N.C.) ^-2013 WBI First Round (Macon, GA.) **- 2012 NCAA Tournament (Ames, IA.) *-2011 NCAA Tournament (Shreveport, LA.) #-2011 WNIT Preseason Tournament/First Round (Los Angeles, CA.) @-2011 WNIT Consolation Rounds (1 & 2, Lake Charles, LA.)
#1 Allison Baggett Baggett s Season/Career Highs Season: 31 vs. Wiley College (11/8) Season: 9 vs. several Season: 20 vs. several (career): 3 vs. several 3-POINT Season: 7 vs. Texas Southern (11/19) (career): 9 vs. Oral Roberts (1/26/13) Season: 12 vs. Wiley College (11/8) (career): 12 vs. Wiley College ( 13) Season: 16 vs. Wiley College (11/8) (career): 16 vs. Wiley College ( 13) Season: 7 vs. Wiley College (11/8) (career): 7 vs. Wiley College ( 13) Season: 4 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (11/27) Season: 3 vs. LIU Brooklyn (11/29) Season: 2 vs. Rice (11/14) #3 Jayln Johnson Johnson s Season/Career Highs Season: 15 vs. Wiley College (11/8) (career): 18 vs. Centenary ( 13) Season: 4 vs. Georgia Tech (11/30) (career):7 vs. Centenary ( 13) Field Goal Attempts Season: 9 vs. several (career): 15 vs. Centenary ( 13) Season: 3 vs. several 3-POINT Season: 6 vs. Tulane (11/11) (career): 7 vs. Lamar ( 13) Season: 6 vs. several Free Throw Attempts Season: 8 vs. Rice (11/14) Season: 5 vs. Rice Season: 10 vs. Wiley College (11/8) Season: 2 vs. Tulane (11/11) (career); 7 vs. Centenary ( 13) #12 Alaina Verdin Verdin s Season/Career Highs Season: 11vs. Texas Southern (11/19) (career): 16 vs. Tulane ( 12) Season: 4 vs. Tulane (11/11) (career): 6 vs. several Season: 11 vs. several (career): 22 vs. LSU ( 12) (career): 4 vs. Tulane ( 12) 3-POINT Season: 1 vs. several (career): 8 vs. Nicholls ( 13) Season: 4 vs. Texas Southern (11/19) (career): 5 vs. Texas College ( 10) Season: 5 vs. Texas Southern (11/19) (career): 5 vs. several Season: 7 vs. Wiley College (11/8) (career): 7 vs. several (career): 3 vs. several (career): 4 vs. Manhattan ( 11) Season: 1 vs. several (career): 2 vs. several
#20 Raven Winslow Winslow s Season/Career Highs 3-POINT #22 Hannah Cupit Cupit s Season/Career Highs Season: 4 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (11/27) 3-POINT Season: 3 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (11/27) Season: 2 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (11/27) Season: 1 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (11/27) Season: 1 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (11/27) #23 Amber Donnes Donnes Season/Career Highs Season: 5 vs. several Season: 2 vs. Rice (11/14) Season: 3 vs. several Season: 1 vs. Wiley College (11/8) 3-POINT Season: 3 vs. several Season: 2 vs. Texas Southern (11/19)
#24 Haily Jenkins Jenkins Season/Career Highs Season: 8 vs. Tulane (11/11) Season: 3 vs. Tulane (11/11) Season: 11 vs. Tulane (11/11) Season: 2 vs. Tulane (11/11) 3-POINT Season: 7 vs. Tulane (11/11) Season: 4 vs. Texas Southern (11/19) Season: 3 vs. Tulane (11/11) Season: 3 vs. Texas Southern (11/19) Season: 1 vs. several #25 Diamond Willis Willis Season/Career Highs 3-POINT #30 Cecilia Okoye Okoye s Season/Career Highs Season: 16 vs. LIU Brooklyn (11/29) (career): 21 vs. Central Arkansas ( 13) Season: 6 vs. several (career): 10 vs. Central Arkansas ( 13) Season: 9 vs. Georgia Tech (11/30) (career): 16 vs. several 3-POINT Season: 5 vs. several (career): 5 vs. several Season: 6 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (11/27) (career): 7 vs. Ole Miss ( 12) Season: 16 vs. Rice (11/14) (career): 16 vs. Rice ( 13) Season: 1 vs. several (career): 2 vs. NW State ( 13) Season: 2 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (11/27) (career): 4 vs. South Dakota ( 13) Season: 3 vs. Wiley College (11/8) (career): 4 vs. Ole Miss ( 13)
#32 Arianna James James Season/Career Highs Season: 9 vs. LIU Brooklyn (11/29) (career): 19 vs. Talladega College ( 13) (career): 9 vs. Talladeda College ( 13) Season: 4 vs. LIU Brooklyn (11/29) (career): 15 vs. Talladega College ( 13) 3-POINT Season: 5 vs. LIU Brooklyn (11/29) (career): 5 vs. LIU Brooklyn ( 13) Season: 6 vs. LIU Brooklyn (11/29) (career): 6 vs. LIU Brooklyn ( 13) Season: 8 vs.liu Brooklyn (11/29) (career): 11 vs. several (career): 3 vs. Nicholls ( 13) Season: 1 vs. several (career): 4 vs. several Season: 1 vs. Tulane (11/11) (career): 1 vs. Tulane ( 13) #33 Victoria Rachal Rachal s Season/Career Highs Season: 21 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (11/27) Season: 8 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (11/27) ) Season: 15 vs. Georgia Tech (11/30) Season: 3 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (11/27) 3-POINT Season: 5 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (11/27) Season: 3 vs. Wiley College ( 11/8) Season: 5 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (11/27) Season: 2 vs. Georgia Tech (11/30) Season: 1 vs. Georgia Tech (11/30) Season: 1 vs. LIU Brooklyn (11/29) #34 Talisa Boyd Boyd s Season/Career Highs Season: 3 vs. Tulane (11/11) Season: 1 vs. Tulane (11/11) Season: 1 vs. several 3-POINT Season: 1 vs. Tulane (11/11) Season: 2 vs. Tulane (11/11) Season: 1 vs. Tulane (11/11)
GAME-BY-GAME STARTERS GUARD GUARD GUARD FORWRD CENTER #45 NeTanya Jones Jones Season/Career Highs Season: 14 vs. Rice (11/14) Season: 7 vs. Rice (11/14) Season: 9 vs. Rice 3-POINT Season: 1 vs. Wiley College (11/8) Season: 3 vs. Wiley College (11/8) (career): 4 vs. several Wiley College Baggett Johnson Verdin Okoye Jones at Tulane Baggett Johnson Verdin James Okoye Rice Baggett Johnson Verdin Okoye Jones at Texas Southern Baggett Johnson Verdin Okoye Jones at Fairleigh Dickinson Baggett Johnson Verdin Okoye Jones at LIU Brooklyn Baggett Johnson Verdin Okoye Jones vs. Georgia Tech Baggett Johnson Verdin Okoye Jones UL-Monroe La. Tech Southern (N.O.) at Baylor Southeastern La. New Orleans at Sam Houston St. at Lamar Texas A&M-CC Houston Baptist Nicholls Central Arkansas Oral Roberts at NW State at Stephen F. Austin at Southeastern La. at New Orleans at Nicholls Incarnate Word Abilene Christian at Texas A&M-CC at Houston Baptist Season: 6 vs. Wiley College (11/8) (career): 8 vs. Wiley College ( 12) Season: 10 vs. several Season: 1 vs. Tulane (11/11) (career): 1 vs. several Season: 1 vs. Georgia Tech (11/30) (career): 2 vs. several Season: 3 vs. LIU Brooklyn (11/29) (career): 3 vs. several