Stealth defeas Fury and snaps six-game losing streak

March 4, 2003
Houston forward Sheryl Swoopes scored 22 points and pulled down nine rebounds to help lead the Stealth to a 68-60 come-from-behind victory over the Tennessee Fury in a NWBL game, Tuesday night at Autry Court.

The Stealth (2-6), snapped a six-game losing streak.

"It feels great to finally get a win," Houston Coach John Chandler stated. "We didn't play smart in the first half but fortunately we were able to put it together in the second half and come out with a victory."

Tennessee's Semeka Randall, Tonya Washington and guard Becky Hammon were unstoppable shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three-point range. The Fury who were up 29-21 with 5:32 to go in the half went cold for almost 3:00 minutes. A basket by Swoopes, pulled Houston to within two at (29-27) but the Fury came right back. Keisha Brown hit a three-pointer and Randall scored on a reverse layup as the Fury closed out the first half with a 6-2 run to take a 35-29 halftime lead.

Tennessee attempted to put the game away early in the second half, but Swoopes, Octavia Blue, and Tamicha Jackson had other plans as they went on an 13-0 run of their own. Jackson gave the Stealth their first lead of the game at 48-47 with 9:02 remaining in the period. The Fury kept it close but Swoopes' three-pointer and Octavia Blue's all-around play kept Tennessee at bay. Blue added 13 points and 10 rebounds.

"Octavia played smart and she refused to let us lose," Swoopes said. "Her play was huge for us tonight." Jackson added 12 points and four assist for the Stealth.

Forward Marie Ferdinand and guard Becky Hammon led Tennessee with 16 points each. Tonya Washington and Semeka Randall added 10 a piece.

"In the first half we were setting good screens and executing our offenses," Fury Head Coach Rodney Minggia stated. "However, in the 2nd half we let the officials get to us and just lost our composure."

After a brief road trip the Stealth will return home on Monday, March 10th to face Birmingham at 8:00 p.m. at Autry Court.

Houston Stealth Game Notes:

• Sheryl Swoopes was 10-30 from the field and 2-4 from three-point range despite coming straight from the airport to the game. Swoopes, who managed to score 22 points and nine rebounds had just returned from a business trip at 7:05 p.m.

• Michelle Snow won't join the team until Thursday due to fact that her mother is ill.

• The Thurgood Marshall High School pep band entertained the crowd during the game. The Buffaloes are part of the Fort Bend Independent School District.

• Faces in the Crowd at the game:

  • Debra Williams -- former Austin High School and Louisiana Tech standout;

  • Barbara Meadough -- Head Girls Basketball Coach at Lamar High School;

  • Shane Brown -- Head Women's Coach at Houston Baptist University;

  • and Cristy McKinney -- Head Women's Coach at Rice University.

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