Nov. 27, 2010

Box Score

Highlights from Lions' All-Access

LOS ANGELES - 17th-ranked Georgia claimed the 2010 Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Westside Thanksgiving Classic title with a 76-45 victory over hosts LMU on Saturday afternoon at Gersten Pavilion. The Lions (3-3) were denied their sixth Thanksgiving Classic championship as the Lady Bulldogs (5-1) claimed their first tournament title after finishing third in the 2005 event.

A day after shooting a season-high 56% and putting up 94 points against Stephen F. Austin, the Lions were held to season-lows in each category as the taller and longer Bulldogs made life difficult. LMU shot 25.4% (15-for-59) overall, 25% (7-for-28) from three-point range and 58.3% (7-for-12) from the line. Juniors Alex Cowling and Candice Nichols each had 12 points to pace the offense and were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Georgia was led by tournament Most Valuable Player Porsha Phillips, who had her second straight double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds while adding six assists. Khaalidah Miller registered a career-high 15 points on 7-for-9 shooting off the bench while All-Tournament selection Jasmine Hassell had 10 points, as did Anne Marie Armstrong.

UGA connected on 57% of its shots in the first half and 54.7% (29-for-53) overall, including 23.1% (3-for-13) from distance. The Lady Bulldogs shot 78.9% (15-for-19) at the free throw line while holding a 47-27 rebounding advantage.

LMU could not carry over its hot shooting in the second half on Friday as UGA hit seven of its first nine, from six different sources, to race out to a 15-3 lead six minutes in. Cowling did her part to keep the Lions in the game with two early three-pointers and got some help from the freshmen as Melinda Gomez, Alexis Love, and Hazel Ramirez all knocked down shots to keep the Lions within 10 at 22-12 with 7:15 left in the first.

A three-pointer from Nichols made it 29-18 in Georgia's favor with 4:15 remaining in the first half but that would be as close as the Lions would get as UGA responded with a three from Miller to kick off a half-ending 11-1 run to head into the locker room with a 40-19 lead. Miller scored seven points during the spurt. Georgia maintained its advantage in the second half, aided by 52% shooting.

In earlier action, Denver University defeated Stephen F. Austin 88-76 in the consolation game.

LMU travels to Cal State Northridge on Tuesday at 7 p.m. before returning home to take on #13 UCLA on Friday at 7 p.m.

2010 Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Westside Thanksgiving Classic All-Tournament Team
Porsha Phillips, Georgia (MVP)
Jasmine Hassell, Georgia
Alex Cowling, LMU
Candice Nichols, LMU
Kaetlyn Murdock, Denver
Antoinette Davis, Stephen F. Austin