Queens, NY - In a three overtime affair punctuated with a combined 46 turnovers, the Lady Techsters took third place outlasting Prairie View at Carnesecca Arena.
Chalk it up to a combination of blowing a double digit lead plus a few poor possessions and decisions in overtime that doomed Prairie View. Midway through the second half it appeared the game was in hand for the representatives of the SWAC. Numbers following the jump.
Possessions:
LA Tech 95
Prairie View 92
Offensive Efficiency:
LA Tech 94
Prairie View 90
The possessions in overtime number three.
LA Tech 8 (with 9 points they enjoyed an OE of 113)
Prairie View 7 (three points netted a 43 OE).
Of the Four Factors Prairie View enjoyed a 43-22 OREB percentage edge. Larissa Scott with 10 offensive boards had more than the entire LA Tech team (9). Both teams committed 23 turnovers. LA Tech had a 24% TO rate while Prairie View was 25%.
The factor helping the Lady Techster cause was eFG percentage. They shot 57% from the floor compared to the opposition's 41%.
The scoring leaders:
Kiara Young, LA Tech 21 points
Jelena Vucinic, LA Tech 21 points
Kiara Etienne, Prairie View 24 points
The Manley Efficiency leaders:
Larissa Scott, Prairie View 28 (19 rebounds, a game high and 6 of 11 shooting from the impressive 6-foot freshman)
Kiara Young, LA Tech 24 (9 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals)
Jelena Vucinic, LA Tech 20 (told you earlier this sophomore caught my attention - shot 7 of 12, hit three treys in the stretch run by Tech and added 3 assists, two steals)
Interesting...despite getting beat on the boards (55-40 overall), LA Tech had a 44-36 edge in points in the paint. Game had 16 ties and 13 lead changes. As noted, a bit high on the turnover end (one TO almost nailed my net book on press row) but an entertaining and competitive game. One where the overtimes were not an annoyance but added to the drama.