GAME PREVIEW: (8) Southern University at New Orleans vs. (1) Lubbock Christian

Office of Community Outreach/University Advancement Department of Public Relations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: David M. Grubb

(504) 286-5343 or (504) 810-3048

dgrubb@suno.edu

 

March 12, 2013

GAME PREVIEW: (8) Southern University at New Orleans vs. (1) Lubbock Christian

FRANKFORT, KY – Southern University at New Orleans (19-4, 11-3 GCAC) begins play in the NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship on Thursday as the eight seed in their bracket and will take on the top seeded Lubbock Christian Lady Chaparrals (29-3, 13-3 Sooner Athletic Conference) beginning at 4:30 pm EDT.  Fans can follow the action online at NAIA.org.

The Lady Knights enter the tournament after earning an automatic bid by claiming the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament Championship.

Game at a Glance

SUNO in the NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship:  Second tournament appearance; SUNO is 0-1 all-time at the tournament.

Series Info: This is the first meeting between SUNO and Lubbock Christian.

Coaches: Elston King is in his 33rd season at SUNO (242-148); 33rd season overall (242-148).  Steve Gomez is in his ninth season at Lubbock Christian (203-92); ninth season overall (203-92).

Rankings:  SUNO was not ranked in the final NAIA Division I Coaches Poll, Lubbock Christian was ranked third.

SUNO Twitter Page: @SUNOKnights

 

Storylines

  • This game is a contrast of styles.  While SUNO is one of the top defensive teams in the country, ranking first in field goal percentage defense, defensive rebounding, blocks per games, and second in 3-point field goal percentage defense and total rebounding the Lady Chaps rank third nationally in points per game, fourth in scoring margin, second in 3-point field goal percentage and first in field goal and free throw percentage.
  • April Perry finished the regular season as the nation’s leading scorer at 22.17 points per game and was 12th in assists earning GCAC Player of the Year and GCAC Tournament MVP honors along the way.
  • Janee Morton finished second on the team in scoring this season with 16 points per game.  She scored in double figures in 19 of 23 contests. The All-GCAC performer was at her best during the GCAC tournament averaging 19.6 points and 8.3 rebounds on 68 percent shooting.
  • Rose Boatner has collected double figures in rebounds each of the last ten games.  She has averaged 12.3 rebounds per game during that streak.
  • Sabrina Scott was third nationally in total blocks (89) averaging 5.93 blocks per game.  She was selected to both the All-GCAC regular season and tournament teams and led the nation with three triple-doubles.