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Show THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY DECEMBER 7, 1987 PACE 13 "T V Lady 'Birds take own tourney BY TIFFANIE FLORENCE The Lady Thunderbirds captured the in their own Lady Invitational Saturday evening, when they defeated the Mountaineers from Western State The win advances the 'Bird recoid to 1 on the season. Cal State Dominguez Hills defeated the University ot Redlands 75-5- 4 in the consolation game played be tore the championship round Saturday. The Mountaineers were unable to shake the lead throughout fust half action The Mountaineers narrowed the 'Bird lead to three, but that was as close as they could get as SUSC posted a 35-2- 9 halftime lead. The 'Birds came out strong in the n second half, with a defense that crippled the Mountaineers from scoring until the 13:50 mark. Within this stretch the 'Birds moved lead 46-3to a "We told the halftime that the way we began at girls the second half would determine the momentum that would be carried throughout the game," said Assistant Coach Don Devilla. The continued to advanced their lead over the Mountaineers. With the 'Birds had three a score of 60-4- 6 players with four fouls each and were able to rely on the depth and strength of their bench. "We are pleased with the depth and strength of our bench," said Coach Boyd Adams. "That is where Western State was hurting. They championship title 81-6- 3-- man-to-ma- nt were only seven deep and we were able to rotate our bench consistently." The Thunderbirds went on to a victory over the Mountaineers, "We played well by utilizing the fastbreak and running our offense," said Adams. "We played with patience and good discipline throughout .the tourney " Tourney MVP Sheri Davies led the attack with 27 points and 11 lebounds. LuAnn Weston, an alltourney choice, followed with 21 points and Suzanne Pressctt netted points and 10 rebounds. "The two games were played with team etlort, said Davies of the tournament win. "I was just lucky and happened to be the one hot tonight, but couldn't have done it without the rest of the team." 20-poi81-6- 1 In Friday's game the 'Birds pulled out to an early lead and held the University of Redlands to a lead at the end of the first half, 44-2Redlands, was unable to catch the 'Birds during the rest of the game. The went on to a easy victory of 20-poi- 0. 93-4- 8. Davies and Acor led the team in scoring with 15 points apiece. Weston and Larsen each netted 12 points. The Lady 'Birds next travel to Ogden, where they face the Wildcats on Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. They remain on the road to Dlay three additional games. T-Bir- crush Bearcats ds BY JAY Kim Free drives past Mountaineer defender Sandy Kowalk en route to a basket in SUSC's 81-6- 1 win over Western State in the finals of the Lady 'Bird Tournament Saturday. HINTON The Thunderbird basketball squad, mired in a slow start for the '87-8- 8 year, took out its frustrations on the Bearcats of Southwest Baptist in Tuesday by overpowering the 'Cats 113-8- 0 the Centrum. The 'Birds put together a tremendous effort as they dropped the 'Cats to post a 3 mark on the new season. "The win was very rewarding from our standpoint," said Coach Neil Roberts. "I was very pleased with the effort we had from our players, not just one or two players, but the whole team." On Jerry Naulls' third steal and basket, the 'Birds posted a lead, with a score of 24-They continued their trapping of half-cou-rt zone defense in order to maintain the lead. The Bearcats managed to cut the lead to seven shooting of John points, with the dead-ey- e Willis, but that was as close as they could get to the By halftime the 'Birds built their spread, largest edge of the game with a halftime advantage. to hold on to a 50-3- 2 The 'Birds began to close the lid on the coffin, when they built a strong spread. The final nail was driven, when Kary Gardner nailed a left hook to put the 'Birds up by 32 points. walked away with a The victory, 1 1 defense played sensational coming The up with 20 steals on the night. "We worked 2-- 9. 30-poi- nt 33-poi- nt 0. Baptist Bearcats in Tuesday action in the Centrum. 113-8- 0 hard on defense," said Naulls, who had four steals. "They had the ball out where we could steal it." "I thought we came out and played great defense," said Roberts. "I felt good about the way we played tonight, especially on defense. We got our hands in the passing lanes, and we took away some of the strengths that we thought they were going to use." Mike Alexander led the 'Birds with 24 points and five steals. "Defense was the key," said Alexander. "Everyone came out to prove themselves." Behind Alexander, Naulls netted 16 points and was followed by Rhet Parsons and Ted Thomas with 14 apiece. Vince Rosdahl added 11 points and Robert Nakken had 10 points. The 'Birds next shoot hoops with Eastern New Mexico in first round action of the Texas State State Tournament Friday evening. "We have to take the effort given tonight on the floor and transfer it to on the road," stated Roberts. The are anticipating the opportunity of meeting WSTU in the championship round Saturday evening at 8 p.m. The 'Birds are looking for revenge for an 83-8Buffalo win in the first round of the Holiday Inn Tipoff Tournament. return home to face On Dec. 16 the Texas Wesleyan in the Centrum at 7:30 p.m. 1, come-from-behi- rd |