Women’s Basketball: UL women shine on Senior Day

Kevin Foote, The Advertiser, March 5, 2016

 

Kia Wilridge takes the easy layup during the Cajuns’ 56-47 win over Georgia Southern on Saturday at the Cajundome.(Photo: SCOTT CLAUSE/THE ADVERTISER)

 

On the surface, it looked like a regular basketball game.

In the minds of UL coach Garry Brodhead and his four Ragin’ Cajuns seniors, it was unlike any other.

They were just all happy the bottom line got taken care of no matter how scattered the focus was in UL’s 56-47 victory over Georgia Southern on Saturday in the regular-season finale at the Cajundome.

For the record, the Cajuns improved to 20-9 overall and 13-7 in Sun Belt play, while Georgia Southern fell to 7-22 and 4-16.

But again, Brodhead and his seniors weren’t even thinking about numbers on this final home game in the Cajundome.

“We were just having fun out there,” said four-year starting guard Kia Wilridge, who contributed 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

“That was the most fun. We weren’t really worried about what the other team was doing.”

Wilridge’s dozen moved her into sole possession of sixth place on the school’s all-time scoring list.

Keke Veal, meanwhile, led the way with 17 points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal.

“We just want to go out having fun, playing team ball and getting out of it with a win,” Veal said.

“It got us prepared for what we have to do next week (in Sun Belt Tournament).”

For Brodhead, it went even deeper than just having fun.

“I was looking at them (on court) not as basketball players, but as student-athletes,” he said. “I was thinking about how they’ve continue to grow as young adults.

“I’m proud of them. As a parent, that’s when you’re the proudest of your kids. They fought through adversity and changed the culture of women’s basketball at UL for sure.”

Now that the regular season is over, the next step for the Cajuns is what the team has been waiting for in recent weeks, according to Brodhead.

The No. 3-seeded Cajuns will meet No. 6 seed Texas-Arlington at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans.

As for the actual game that took place Saturday, the Cajuns forced 15 turnovers to help grow a huge lead that got up to 41-18 with 6:21 left in the third period.

“I think we defended really well, especially Kia on the point guard,” Brodhead said. “We shot the ball well at times, especially in the third quarter.”

That shooting percentage was better than good at 72.7 percent to help build that huge lead.

Also help that percentage was junior guard Jodi Quinn, who made three of four tries from the field and made her only free throw for seven points.

“We’re always telling Jodi to shot,” Wilridge said.

“When she puts her mind to it, she can do it (score),” Veal said.

Sylvana Okde also came in and nailed a pair of 3-pointers in 13 minutes of play to aid the offensive cause.

Angel McGowan led all scorers with 19 points, along with six rebounds, for Georgia Southern.