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Fury Edges Stealth 71-70

March 23, 2003 - National Women's Basketball League (NWBL)
Houston Stealth News Release


Though the Houston Stealth plays in a different league than the Houston Comets (NWBL vs. WNBA), both teams share a common denominator: the inability to defend Marie Ferdinand. Ferdinand took control of Sunday afternoon's game and led the Tennessee Fury team to a 71-70 victory over the Houston Stealth.

"It was a game of two halves," said Stealth head coach John Chancellor. "The score was 41-29; the second half, the score was 42-29."

The Stealth's defense in the first half was a key to the halftime lead. Houston limited Ferdinand to six points on 6 shots; however, Marie only played 11 minutes in the first half due to three fouls. Houston's Sheryl Swoopes scored 14 points in the first and center Michelle Snow added 10 points and 5 rebounds. The Fury shot an icy 32.4% (11 for 34) in the opening period.

Once the second half began, Ferdinand began to take over. She scored 7 of Tennessee's first eleven points to reduce Houston's lead to five (47-42).

"We came out (in the second half) directly opposite of what we should have done," said Chancellor. "We let the lead get away from us; we had some turnovers; we got out-rebounded 43 to 40. We had sixteen turnovers to their 8 turnovers"

"That pretty much tells you the story of the game. We had two steals to their eleven," said Coach Chancellor.

Tennessee's Becky Hammon was a major factor in the Fury's win, too. She scored 17 points (7 for 16 from the field) and dished a game-high 10 assists.

"She (Becky) has to be one of the smartest players," said Fury head coach Rodney L. Minngia. "And she gets the most out of her ability at her size."

"She leads you; she conducts things; she shoots well; she knows how to pass; she plays great defense. She comes to play every night. She almost refuses to lose." Tennessee's forward Trisha Stafford-Odom tied the game at 48 with 10:31 left; and, the Fury took its first lead of the game (52-50) with 8:03 left thanks to a basket by Ferdinand.

The game was tied four more times (at 52, 56, 58, and 60) when Tennessee seized control.

Tennessee took a six-point lead (67-61) thanks to baskets from Ferdinand, guard Keisha Brown and a three-pointer from Hammon. Stealth forward Octavia Blue knocked down two free throws, which were answered by a bucket by Ferdinand that put the Fury up 69-63 with 1:32 remaining.

A three-pointer by Stealth swing player Kelley Gibson was sandwiched by two free throws each from Swoopes and Snow to reduce the Fury's lead to 71-70 with 17.4 seconds left in the game.

Houston forced a five-second violation on Tennessee to regain possession. Following a Stealth time-out, Sheryl Swoopes received the in-bounds pass; drove toward the middle of the paint; shot; missed; loose ball; the ball ends up in Swoopes' hands; she takes a baseline jumper which rimmed out. Game over.

"Sheryl normally makes game winners," said Becky Hammon. "So, (when Swoopes attempted the game-winning shot) I was thinking ‘oh (blank)'."

Michelle Snow finished the game with 21 points and a game-high 15 points. Swoopes led all scorers with 25. No other Stealth players scored in double figures.

"We rely a lot on our quickness," said Marie Ferdinand. "And the up tempo style of play. The transition game."In the second half, we picked it (intensity) up. We found a rhythm. Our defense started creating our offense for us and we went on from there."

Marie Ferdinand's 23 points (11 for 23 from the field) followed by Hammon's 17 points led Tennessee. Keisha Brown added 13 points and 6 rebounds. Trisha Stafford-Odom added 4 assists to go along with 8 points and 5 rebounds.

Tonight's loss ends Houston's 4-game winning streak and drops the Stealth's record to 7-9. Tennessee improves to 6-9 with the win.

The Stealth will conclude its four-game home stand Tuesday, March 25, versus the Grand Rapids Blizzard. Tip-off is at 8 o'clock.

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