Complete Box Score

LANGSTON, Oklahoma - The 2002-2003 women's basketball season came to an end in Oklahoma tonight, as the Lady Rams lost to Langston University in the first round of the Red River Athletic Conference tournament 94-54.

Wesleyan, who entered the tournament as the seventh seed, fell behind early and couldn‘t recover. Teo Grant and Patrice Simms combined for 18 points in the first ten minutes, helping Langston build up a 25-10 lead. Shawndrika Courtney scored for the Lady Rams on their next possession, but that was as close as they would get. Langston outscored Wesleyan 46-28 in the first half and 48-26 in the second.

Langston shot lights-out all evening, finishing with a team shooting percentage of .565. The Lady Lions also hit seven of 17 three-point attempts (41 percent) and nine of 11 free throws (82 percent).

Five Lady Lions reached double figures in the scoring column, led by Grant with 22 points. She connected on seven of nine shots from the floor and eight of ten free throws. Simms finished with 15 points, Syretha Penn scored 14, and Shanika Bottoms and Natoshia Rouse each finished with ten points. Tara White led the rest of the team with eight points.

The rebounding advantage went to Langston as well, as the Lady Lions pulled down 38 boards to Wesleyan’s 31. Every p[layer for Langston recorded at least one rebound in the contest, led by Grant and Jameelah Brown with six apiece. Simms grabbed five, Rouse, White, and Kayla Smith each had four, and Jessica James finished with three.

Langston also recorded an amazing 35 assists (on 39 made shots) in the game. Simms led with ten, Penn had six, and Rouse had five.

For Wesleyan, Courtney led with 14 points, hitting five of seven shots and four of five free throws. Valen Little was the only other Lady Ram in double figures, coming off the bench to score ten, including a pair of three-pointers. Shayla Coleman scored nine, Stephanie Reder and Kori Yates each had six, Naomi Vann scored five, and Kim Cooper finished with four points. Cooper led Wesleyan with nine rebounds, followed by Courtney and Coleman with six apiece.

The Lady Rams shot 33 percent in the game, making 20 of 61 attempts, including four of 14 from long-range. They also shot 77 percent from the free throw line.

The Lady Rams end the season with an overall record of 12-20, and were 6-15 against conference opponents. This marks an 11-game turnaround from last season’s 1-24 squad, and with no seniors on this year’s squad, the Lady Rams look forward to an even bigger improvement next season. Check back later on The Rams Online for a more in-depth look at the 2002-2003 Lady Rams season and a preview of next year.