Houston Stealth Routs Chicago

Published on March 21, 2003 under National Women's Basketball League (NWBL)
Houston Stealth News Release


If Chicago Blaze head coach Robin Garrett-Moore knew her team would play the Houston Stealth with superstar forward Sheryl Swoopes scoring only 2 points in the game, Coach Garrett-Moore would surely believe her Blaze team easily defeated the Stealth.

Wrong!

Thursday evening, the Houston Stealth (7-8) defeated the Chicago Blaze (8-7) 87 to 59 and Sheryl Swoopes scored 2 points in the rout.

Houston trailed Chicago very early in the game, then the rout began.

The Stealth's defense kept Chicago in check throughout the game.

"What was important for me," Houston Stealth's head coach John Chancellor said. "Was the way we played defense. It was just awesome."

Thanks to stifling defense (Chicago shot 11 for 37) and great offense (Houston connected on 22 of 40 field goals), the Stealth led 54 to 26 at halftime.

Houston's Tina Thompson scored 19 points in the first half while teammate Octavia Blue added 12.

In the second half, Houston increased its lead to as large as 35 (67 to 32, with 15:17 left in the game). Despite playing reserves for much of the second half Coach; the closest the Blaze were able to get was only 25 points on two occasions.

"We were just taken out of a lot things," Coach Garrett-Moore said. "That we do really well. Even our half court sets weren't working very well for us."

All twelve players scored for the Stealth.

"We were clicking on all cylinders," said forward Octavia Blue. "We came in with the idea we were going to play defense first; and, that opened everything up offensively."

Thompson was the game's leading scorer with 21 points (in only 19 minutes).

Chicago forward Mfon Udoka led her team with 16 points and a game-high 14 rebounds; however, she only made 6 of her 21 field goal attempts.

The Stealth shot 48.5% (33 for 68) for the game while limiting the Blaze to 31.5% (23 for 73).

"Tonight we were on," concluded John Chancellor. "We really took care of business."

Houston has now won 4 straight games. The Stealth returns to action Sunday afternoon, March 23rd, and hosts the Tennessee Fury at Autry Court. Tip-off is at 2pm. The two teams have split the two previous games this season with each team winning on its home court: the Fury won 63 to 61 in Knoxville while the Stealth won 68 to 60 in Houston.

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National Women's Basketball League Stories from March 21, 2003


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