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Houston Stealth wins 2003 Pro Cup

April 13, 2003 - National Women's Basketball League (NWBL)
Houston Stealth News Release


The Houston Stealth trounced the Tennessee Fury 95-76 this afternoon to successfully defend its National Women's Basketball League (NWBL) Pro Cup Championship. Houston's head coach John Chancellor is now two for two in the Pro Cup finals.

Houston's Tina Thompson was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. She followed her 31-point performance in Saturday's semi-final game with 29 points (11 for 21 from the field) in the title game.

The Stealth blew open a tie game (22 a piece) with 10 minutes left in the first half by finishing the half with a 28 to 14 closing kick to take a 50 to 36 lead into the locker rooms. Thompson scored 10 in the first; teammate Sheryl Swoopes added 12; while guard Kelley Gibson poured in 10, too. Stealth center Michelle Snow added 8 points to help Houston's well-balanced offensive effort. Point guard Tamicha "Action" Jackson handed out 8 first-half assists as well. Houston shot 54.5% (18 for 33) in the period.

The second-half was all Stealth. After trailing Houston 57-36, Tennessee's Becky Hammon keyed a mini-run to close Houston's lead to 63-50 with twelve minutes left in the game. However, 4 quick points from Swoopes and Snow boosted the Stealth's lead to 17 at 67-50.

Houston cruised to the victory.

Thompson led all scorers with her 29 points; and, four of Tina's teammates scored in double figures: Swoopes scored 18; guards Kelley Gibson and La'Neishea Caufield chipped 12 a piece; while Michelle Snow added 10 points. Tamicha Jackson had a spectacular day running the Stealth's offense! TJ handed out 13 assists with zero turnovers!

Forward Trisha Stafford Odom's 21 points (9 for 11 from the field) led Tennessee. Guard Marie Ferdinand struggled with her shooting (4 for 12); but, she scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for the Fury. Hammon added 12 points and Keisha Brown chipped in 10. Tennessee reached the finals with an overtime win over Birmingham (80-75) in the first round (Friday evening) followed by an upset win over the number 1 seeded Springfield Spirit (80-67) in Saturday's semi-finals.

The entire 2003 Pro Cup Championship was webcast by Sports Radio Network (www.sportsradionet.com).

The NWBL is a professional women's basketball league with franchises in Springfield, MA; Knoxville, TN; Chicago, IL; Birmingham, AL; Houston, TX and Grand Rapids, MI.

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