Lady Bears fall in home opener to Northwest Mississippi

Saturday November 2, 2024: Women's Basketball                                                        

Baton Rouge, LA

The Baton Rouge Lady Bears could not overcome a strong fourth quarter by the Northwest Mississippi Lady Rangers as they fell, in the finale of the 2024 Lady Bears Classic, by the final score of 76 to 66.

The Lady Bears would get on the board first with a bucket by freshman guard Shelcie LeBlanc from Carencro, with 9:53 remaining.  The Lady Rangers would tie the game at two with 9 minutes remaining. The Lady Rangers would then go on an 8 to 3 run to take a 10 to 5 lead over the Lady Bears with 6:19 remaining. The Lady Bear's Kinsley James would score the Lady Bears next five points to pull the Lady Bears within two 12-10 with 4:13 remaining. The Lady Bears would take their first lead of the game when Sophomore Guard Frandreka Keller would hit a corner three to take a 13-12 lead with 3:10 remaining. The remainder of the quarter would go back and forth between the Lady Bears and the Lady Rangers, as the Lady Rangers would hold a slim 18-16 lead, after the first quarter.

The second quarter was another back-and-forth affair with each team making mini runs.  The Lady Rangers would go on a 7-2 run, to open the quarter, to take a 25-18 lead over the Bears. The Bears would go on a 10-3 run of their own to tie the game at 28 with 1:41 remaining. The game would be tied again at 32 with 28 seconds remaining, in the quarter. The Lady Rangers would hold a slim 34 to 32 lead over the Lady Bears at the half.

The third quarter was an evenly matched contest between the Lady Bears and the Lady Rangers. Each team would trade buckets and defensive stops. At the end of the third quarter, the Lady Rangers led the Lady Bears 53 to 47.

In the fourth quarter, the Lady Rangers increased their defensive pressure and used their height advantage on the board to increase their lead by six at the halfway mark of the quarter.  The Lady Bears would fight till the end, but the Northwest Mississippi Lady Rangers would pull away for the 76 to 66 victory.

The Lady Rangers shot 42 % compared to 34% for the Lady Bears. Both teams struggled to convert at the free throw line. The Lady Rangers outrebounded the Lady Bears 45 to 39.

The Lady Bears fell to 0-1, while the Lady Rangers improved to 2-0 on the young season.  The Lady Rangers hold the all-time series record with 4 wins and 2 losses over the Lady Bears.

Lady Bear Highlights

Shelcie LeBlanc led all Lady Bears with 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal

Kinsley James had 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assist and 2 steals

Akiyah Carnes had a double- double with 10 points and 10 rebounds

Other Lady Bear Classic Scores

Friday November 1, 2024, Results

Southern Arkansas University Tech defeated Delgado 76 to 40.

Southern University Shreveport defeated South Arkansas 65-58

Northwest Mississippi defeated Shorter College 71 to 64

Kilgore College defeated Copiah-Lincoln 82 to 51

Saturday November 2, 2024, Results

Kilgore College defeated South Arkansas 99 to 47

Copiah-Lincoln defeated Shorter College 66 to 51

Southern Arkansas University Tech defeated Southern Shreveport 57 to 39

The Bears will continue their mini home stand on Tuesday November 5 when they host the Hinds Community College Lady Bulldogs at 6 pm in the Bears den.

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