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Saturday, November 30, 2002
No. 3 LSU races past FIU
 iysha Smith had 13 points and 11 rebounds
as third-ranked LSU squashed an upset bid by Florida International,
68-54, in the title game of the 2002 FIU/Herald Classic Saturday
at Golden Panther Arena.
Smith led a balanced scoring
attack that saw four players reach double-digits in points for
the Tigers. LSU's Doneeka Hodges led all scorers with 14 points.
It was a game of runs as the
Tigers opened the game with 10 unanswered points. FIU battled
back to tie the game at 21 before LSU would close out the half
on a 13-5 run for a 34-26 halftime lead.
LSU extended its lead to 11 with
15:59 remaining before FIU battled back to narrow the lead to
five, 42-37, with 11:08 left in the game. The Golden Panthers
continued to keep the game within reach most of the second period.
A free throw by Ivelina Vrancheva
helped FIU cut the lead to five again at 56-51. But that was
as close as the Golden Panthers would get as LSU turned up the
defensive pressure and forced FIU to miss five of its last six
field goal attempts.
Vrancheva led FIU with 10 points
and 10 rebounds, recording her second double-double of the tournament
and sixth of her career. Dace Cinite was FIU's high scorer with
12 points while Cormisha Cotton and Mandy Shafer each turned
in 10 points and eight rebounds.
It was the lowest scoring output
for both teams this season.
LSU remained perfect at 5-0 with
the victory. FIU is now 2-2 on the year.
In the consolation game of the
tourney, Virginia Tech (2-1) defeated Washington State (0-4)
by a 72-50 score.
The Golden Panthers will travel
to New York for the Stony Brook Tournament, Dec. 6-7. FIU will
face Bradley in the first round. LSU hosts Alabama State on Dec.
7.
2002 FIU/HERALD THANKSGIVING
CLASSIC
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Candace Fields, WSU
Fran Recchia, VT
Ivelina Vrancheva, FIU
Cormisha Cotton, FIU
Aiysha Smith, LSU
MVP: Temeka Johnson, LSU |