#2 Lady Indians shake off rust in win over LSU-Eunice

After almost three weeks without playing a game due to a break for Christmas, the Lady Indians didn't appear to miss a beat. Three players had double-digit nights as the #2 ranked Chipola women defeated the host team, LSU-Eunice, 91-51  at the Lake Charles New Year's Day Classic.

Chipola wasted no time separating themselves from the competition as they held the Bengals scoreless for the first four-and-a-half minutes of the game. Meanwhile, Ta'Shonna Wright-Gaskins and Jordan McLaughlin, led the Lady Indians on an 18-0 run to open the game. In the first quarter, McLaughlin and Wright-Gaskins combined for 25 of Chipola's 31 points. The Lady Indians held LSU-Eunice to only one field goal in the quarter, and led 31-8 after the first ten minutes of play.

In the second quarter, the Lady Indians cooled off but still managed to outcore the Bengals, 13-9. McLaughlin finished the first half with 16 points and Wright-Gaskins contributed 15 as the Lady Indians led at the break, 44-17.

After only scoring two points in the first half, Shimei Muhammad couldn't miss from anywhere she shot inside Burton Coliseum in the third quarter. After the Bengals got off to a good start in the second half, Muhammad ended all hopes they might have had for a comeback with three consecutive three-pointers. 

Muhammad finished the game with six made baskets from three-point range en route to a 22 point night. Wright-Gaskins finished the game with 17 points and McLaughlin added 16.

The Lady Indians will wrap up play in Louisiana on Friday with #6 Shelton State Community College from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Chipola and the Lady Bucs are set to tip-off at 3:00 PM.

Chipola will begin Panhandle Conference play at 5:30 on Tuesday, January 4, hosting Tallahassee Community College at The Milt.