Lady Mustang Recruit

[50's PONY]

GILLIAM SCORES 30;
JT TOPS WACO UNIV.




By: HAROLD WILSON, Staff Writer November 23, 2004



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A reduction in turnovers resulted in increased offensive production for the John Tyler Lady Lions.


JT, behind a prime-time performance from senior wing Brittany Gilliam, returned to its winning ways with a 62-52 victory over the No. 14 team in Class 4A, Waco University, Tuesday night at the Lions Den.

Gilliam, an SMU signee, poured in a game-best 30 points, in addition to seven steals, five assists, four rebounds and two blocks.

The Lady Lions, off to their slowest start in six seasons, improved to 2-3. Two of JT's first three losses came against ranked teams - Winnsboro, No. 2 in Class 3A, and Dallas Skyline, No. 4 in Class 5A. The Skyline loss ended a near three-year long winning streak at home.

In each of its first four games, JT failed to reach the 60-point plateau - breaking through Tuesday after turning the ball over only 11 times, causing 23 with its 2-3 defense and shooting 51 percent from the field. JT converted 17 of its 25 makes in the paint.

"We needed a win bad," said JT coach Kenneth Bickham. "We came out and played better than we have been. All in all, we played pretty good. Reece (Aricia Mitchell) did a good job in the first half and Brittany had an all-around good game.

"What made a difference is we stole the ball. That's something we hadn't done in five games. We were able to trap them and we got some easy buckets off that, which is John Tyler basketball."

Gilliam saved 10 of her points for the pivotal fourth period, in which JT widened the gap after being up only one basket, 48-46, with 7:45 remaining. The Lady Lions quickly increased their lead to double-digits over the next six minutes.

Mitchell started a 14-5 JT run with a putback basket. She then stole the ball on the next possession and spotted Gilliam on the break for a wide-open layup, which turned into a three-point play.

Following a Gilliam free throw and three-point play from University's Candice Champion, Gilliam and Mitchell traded buckets before Gilliam tacked on another steal and layup and two foul shots following Champion's free throw to give JT a comfortable 62-51 cushion.

In the first period, JT trailed a good portion until Gilliam drained a 22-footer at the buzzer to give the Lady Lions a one-point advantage. JT trailed only 61 seconds the remainder of the way, thanks in part to a 11-0 run midway through the second period - one Gilliam started with a 3-pointer and finished with a layup off a steal.

"I was taking it to the rack and letting the game come to me," Gilliam said. "Now that we know we can beat a ranked team, this should boost the girls up."

Mitchell finished with 17 points, six rebounds, two steals and one block. Ashley Brooks contributed seven points, seven assists and five steals.

Champion paced Waco University with 22 points and six rebounds. Candice Thomas added 13 points, five assists, two steals and two blocks for the Lady Trojans.


John Tyler 62, Waco Univ. 52

Waco University 15 15 15 7 - 52

John Tyler 16 21 11 14 - 62