Shante’ Perry had a career performance in the McNeese Cowgirls’ 71-66 win over Louisiana Tech on Saturday at the Burton Coliseum. Perry broke the McNeese women’s three point record hitting 9-of-10 with a career high 39 points to lead all scorers.
“We were playing Louisiana Tech and I really wanted to beat them,” said Perry on her record setting performance.
The win marks the first time McNeese has beaten Tech since the 1978-1979 season.
“I think it’s huge, monumental win for our program,” said Cowgirls’ head coach Brooks Donald Williams. “It’s been 30 years since McNeese has beat Louisiana Tech and there have been very few times McNeese has been victorious. The Lady Techster program is rich in tradition and I honestly think they are extremely talented and more talented than they have been in the past few years. For our girls to come out and defend them like they did. it really showed heart and effort and intensity for 40 minutes through runs and through lead changes.”
There were seven lead changes in the game.
The win avenged an 88-43 loss at Louisiana Tech where Perry led McNeese scorers with 14 points.
“The program has changed so much and the environment has changed, and I think that’s the number one difference,” Williams said. “I think the young ladies that played in the program last year got us to where we need to be today.”
Perry started the game with some hot shooting by hitting three straight three’s to give McNeese a 14-6 lead. After the Cowgirls (8-5) took their biggest lead of the first half, the Lady Techsters (7-7) battled back midway through the half on a 15-4 run to take a 23-22 lead with 4:27 left in the half.
McNeese regained the lead a minute later on another Perry three pointer with the Cowgirls finishing the half on a 10-2 run. Perry led the Cowgirls with 21 points at the halftime break to lead McNeese to a 32-26 lead.
Tech opened the second half with a 16-4 run to take a 42-36 lead. The Cowgirls fought back to out-score the Lady Techsters 15-4 with under nine minutes remaining in the game to give McNeese a 51-46 lead.
Perry broke the single game record with her eighth three pointer of the game with 6:50 left in the game.
“She played unbelievable,” Williams said on her senior forward. “We’ve all known that she is capable.
“Last year I stayed on Shante Perry every second and didn’t cut her any slack. She has disciplined her play and that has made her such a tough player. She has the ability to score and she did it tonight. I thought we did a good job of finding her, even when Louisiana Tech wanted to limit her touches. She went on a spell where she missed one or two and she started to hang her head, then she comes right out. A year ago, I don’t know if she would have done that. She has so much confidence right now. I’m just so proud of her.”
