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March 7, 2003
RAMS COMES FROM BEHIND
TO DEFEAT XAVIER IN GCAC SEMI-FINALS
New Orleans, La. - University of Mobile freshman Crystal Coston
celebrated her 19th birthday by hitting the game-winning free
throw to complete the Rams (22-11) come-from-behind 71-70
victory over Xavier University. The 2003 Gulf coast
AthleticConference Freshman of the Year led the Rams with 14
points and 10 rebounds as she helped them secure at least an
at-large bidto the NAIA National Tournament held in Jackson,
Tenn.
A tight first half, the Rams showed much of the same symptoms
that plagued them all season long, as they committed 12
turnovers in the half. The latter statistic proved to the be
difference as Xavier took a 19-10 advantage in points off of
turnovers as well as a 39-34 lead into the half.
"We talked about turnovers at the half," Coach Algernon said.
"Turnovers was our No. 1 goal for today because in the last two
games against Xavier we had 69 turnovers. I knew we couldn't win
the game tonight if we turned the ball over 34 or 35 times. So
we wanted to keep it under 20. We did that and that gave us a
chance to win tonight."
The Xavier University Gold Nuggets used a 6-0 run early in the
second half to open up a 51-40 lead, their biggest, with just
over 15 minutes remaining in the game. Mobile, who only
committed 7 second half turnovers, began to chip away at
Xavier's lead however. With 3:12 remaining the Rams started an
8-0 run that tied the game 70-70 following a Jessica Barber
3-pointer. With a little over 10 seconds remaining, the Rams
inbounded the ball to Coston who drew the foul as she went up
for the lay-up.
Missing her first free throw, the birthday girl got her wish as
she hit her second and sent the Rams to a conference
championship showdown with the Dillard University Lady
Devilettes Saturday at 5 p.m.
In addition to Coston's double-double, the Rams were also led by
Paula Dill's 14 points, Jessica Barber's 12 and Laurie Simon's
11. Simon, who set a new single season record for 3-pointers
with 65 in Thursday's game against Belhaven, extended the record
to 68 as she went 3-for-8 from behind the arc.
Xavier was led by Ferris Peters' 15 points and Jackie Tucker's
14.
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