FOR LIFE
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Monday, February 24, 2003
Lady Bears Down Lady Blue Bears
FEBRUARY 24, 2003, Raleigh, NC--- On paper the contest between the Lady Bears of Shaw University (4-24) and the Livingstone College Lady Blue Bears (10-19) read a match up of a number three seed and a number six seed, but the Lady Bears didn't play like the average sixth seed. The Lady Bears, inspired by the return of All-CIAA player Naomi Mobley, defeated the Lady Blue Bears 69-55.
The two teams battled back and forth during the first half, exchanging the lead five times. The Lady Blue Bears led at the half and were paced by the scoring of freshman swingman Kautelza Richards who had 10 points. The Lady Bears were able to stay in the game with the all around good play of Mobley, who had eight points, and nine rebounds in the first half. "We were loose for the game, but we came out a little tight, said Lady Bears head coach Jacques Curtis." Due to an injury, All-CIAA player Patrice Hearns did not play in the first half.
The Lady Bears came out on fire in the second, starting the half on a 7-0 run. The Lady Bears led 38-36 at the 14:53 mark of the second half when Naomi Mobley left the game with an apparent leg injury. The Lady Blue Bears took advantage of the lack of a dominant defensive player in the middle by going on a 9-0 run in Mobley's absence, which was capped off by a Richards lay-up. Naomi Mobley returned around the nine-minute mark, and the Lady Bears responded by amassing an 8-0 run, all of which were scored by junior forward Margiella Mobley, who went on to score a game high 26 points. "My ankle was just another monkey on my back, I'll throw it off," said Naomi Mobley. A lay-up at the 8:03 mark by Mobley put the Lady Bears up for good.
In addition to her game high 13 rebounds, Naomi Mobley scored 21 points and blocked five shots. Kautelza Richards led the Lady Blue Bears attack with 21 points. Senior guard Angela Thomas chipped in for the Lady Blue Bears with 15 points, eight assists, and four steals.
The Shaw University Lady Bears will meet The Lady Trojans of Virginia State University in the second round.