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Lady Coogs claw into national poll

UH leads C-USA resurgence, top teams to square off Saturday

Women's AP Top 25

Christian Schmidt

After making the ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll the last two weeks, the UH women's basketball team cracked the latest Associated Press poll, coming in at No. 25. This marks the first time Houston has been ranked in the AP poll since 1992.

The Lady Cougars have gotten out to the best start in the program's history, compiling a 14-2 overall record and a perfect 3-0 mark against Conference USA opponents. The team has won nine consecutive games, with the last defeat coming Dec. 07, 2003. 

Both Lady Cougar losses this season have been to ranked opponents, No. 11 Purdue and No. 16 Georgia. A 61-59 win over Texas Christian on Sunday helped solidify UH's status as a top team and bring the Cougars to the forefront of many voters' minds. The game was also on national television, giving the team good exposure.

Head coach Joe Curl has gotten superb performances in supporting roles by junior forward Sancho Lyttle, junior guard Joann Overstreet and senior forward Nicole Oliver. But the team still belongs to its undisputed leader. 

Jones honored again

Senior guard Chandi Jones was named C-USA Player of the Week after scoring 53 points in Houston's wins over Wichita State and TCU. This is the second time this season Jones has been given the award.

Jones almost single-handedly took the Lady Cougars to victory against TCU, scoring 32 points on 13-of-20 shooting from the field. She also had eight rebounds and two assists in the game.

C-USA stepping up

The Lady Cougars' success is mirrored by the success of C-USA teams this season. DePaul is No. 16, joining the Lady Cougars and Lady Horned Frogs in the top 25. DePaul's 16-1 record is the best in the nation.

DePaul has been one of the nation's most surprising teams. The Lady Blue Demons have an electrifying offense, leading the nation in scoring at 91.6 points per game and outscoring their opponents by an average of 24.6 points per game.

Sophomore forward Khara Smith is the engine that keeps DePaul's high-octane offense rolling. Smith is ranked No. 7 nationally in scoring with 21.5 points per game, ranked No. 11 in rebounding with 11.2 per game, eighth in field-goal percentage at 62.8 percent and No. 24 in steals with 3.2 per game.

No. 1 vs. No. 2

The top two teams in the nation will play Saturday -- and neither one is Connecticut. No. 1 Duke will face No. 2 Tennessee. Meanwhile, the UConn Lady Huskies have fallen all the way to No. 5, the team's lowest ranking since November 2002.

Duke features a high-powered offense with strong post play from center Iciss Tillis and forward Alana Beard, and capable shooting and ballhandling from its guards.

Tennessee relies on a balanced attack with good shooting (45.2 percent as a team) and solid defensive play. Circle this game on your calendar, because the winner of this one will likely hold onto the top spot for a while. 

Beard's number retired

Many programs wait until a player is actually done playing before retiring their number, but not Duke. The Lady Blue Devils will retire forward Alana Beard's No. 20 on Saturday before Duke's game against Tennessee. Beard has easily been the best women's player to ever compete at the school.

Beard, selected twice as All-Atlantic Coast Conference, is a candidate for several postseason awards. She is averaging 19.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.9 steals and 1.2 blocks per game this season. She will join 11 Duke men's basketball players whose numbers have been retired.

Cal player dies

Alisa Lewis, a reserve guard for the California women's basketball team, died Monday morning of what is believed to be bacterial meningitis, The Associated Press reported. Lewis, 20, began suffering from a severe headache, rash and flu-like symptoms early Monday morning, and was rushed to the hospital.

A team spokesperson said doctors believe the junior from Spokane, Wash., died of meningitis, an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. Members of the team and staff have been given precautionary antibiotics.

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