Jan. 13, 2011
LATechSports.com takes a look back at Louisiana Tech's three national championships in women's basketball in conjunction with the reunion that the University is holding on Saturday, Jan. 22 to honor these three teams.
A luncheon will be held at Squire Creek Country Club on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 11:30 a.m. and all Louisiana Tech fans are invited. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased by calling Barb Swart at 318-255-7950.
A number of former players and coaches have already RSVP'd for the weekend which will culminate with Saturday night's Louisiana Tech vs. Nevada game at 7 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center.
By Buddy Davis
Ruston Daily Leader
March 28, 1982
NORFOLK, Va. - If Louisiana Tech were a stockbroker, they'd be making a lot of money for their clients these days. Talk about a blue (and red) chip stock, but this could be the best ever.
Tech's "stock" in the world of women's basketball rose again here Sunday afternoon.
Blending the talent that has made them the "dynasty darlings" of the sport, the Lady Techsters stopped Cheyney State, 76-62, for the NCAA's first-ever national women's championship.
Tech accomplished their 35th victory against one loss and second consecutive national title before a sell-out 9,531 fans at The Scope and a CBS Sports national television audience.
It was Tech's 69th win in 70 games providing further evidence of their claim as the best women's team in America today.
"Before the tourney I didn't think we could be considered as the greatest team ever unless we won the championship again," said Tech Associate Head Coach, Leon Barmore. "Now that we have, I believe we're a better team than those great Old Dominion clubs of a few years ago.
"There's two championship banners hanging in Old Dominion's fieldhouse; there are three championship dates on a sign before you get to Delta State. Now we can talk about being a great team along with those people."
Head coach Sonja Hogg said that winning this years title was twice as nice.
"Winning the championship the first time was great," she said. "But, winning it again is more exciting. It was a great way to see our seniors go out and a great feeling for our young people to experience. What's next for us? Our goal is another national championship."
Tech delivered another knockout punch in typical style: outstanding defense, balanced offense, unlimited hustle and enthusiasm.
The combination was powerful enough to overcome a fired-up Cheyney State (28-3) team which led the first 13 minutes and seemed to be flirting with destiny at times.
But Tech's 16 unanswered points in a three minute span of the first half spelled doom for the Lady Wolves.
Although Cheyney State's fans would begin to yell "We want LA Tech" in the final moments of the first half, Tech all but had them packing up for their Pennsylvania Campus by intermission.
"We informed our players before the game that it would take 4 minutes of hard basketball," said Barmore, decked out in a pin-striped suit bearing a white carnation. "But, the character and poise of these players came through the entire game, especially when we were down in that first half.
"They are just not going to let it slip away," Barmore continued. "But give credit to Cheyney. They and USC (Southern Cal) are the two best teams in America, other than us. Of course, and I don't mean that in an arrogant way."
Tech had two Most Valuable Player recipients in their game. Sophomore center Angela Lawrence, being accorded the honor by the media and sophomore guard Kim Mulkey by the CBS television announcers.
Both were joined on the all-tourney team by teammate and senior center Pam Kelly and Cheyney forward Valerie Walker and guard Yolanda Laney.
"Yes, I'm excited about being the MVP, because the people voting thought I played all right," said Lawrence, who had a team-high 20 points. "But the best thing is that we won it again, this time for our graduating seniors. Now we want to win a few more championships. It's a good feeling to win.'
Tech had an estimated 400 fans cheering them on at the Scope, but the vast majority seemed to be pulling for little Cheyney State. Even near game-time there were Old Dominion fans yelling, "O-D-U, O-D-U, O-D-U." There was one Lady Monarchs' fan parading through the stands with abanner reading, "ODU shall return."
When the Lady Wolves came onto the court for pre-game warm-ups, there was a thunderous roar from the crowd.
"Go back to the Bayou!" yelled the Cheyney State rooting section, then came the familiar "We want LA Tech" cry.
Then when the Lady Techsters came out for their warm-ups, a veritable sea of baby blue wind breakers cheered on their favorite team.
Tech would humble the outburst of the Cheyney State fans later on.
"I didn't pay any attention to the crowd," said Kelly, who led the club in rebounds with 10 and added 14 points. "I was too wrapped up in the game. I wanted this game a lot because I am graduating. It is a great way to leave. It meant more than last year's championship because this is my senior year."
And for young players like Pam Gant, Mulkey and Lawrence, it also meant a lot.
"It's like winning state back in high school again, the super feeling that goes with it," said Joliet, Ill., product Gant. "It really excites me, coming into college and being on a national champion the first year."
Mulkey who darted through and around Cheyney's imposing zone defense, experienced a championship feeling for the sixth straight year.
"I was on four straight state championship teams at Hammond High and now these two championships at Tech," said the pig-tailed back-court star. "It's still exciting. It never gets old being on a winner. Some say it isn't as sweet after you win it once, but that's not true."
Although Lawrence was a picture of calm and reserved demeanor during post-game interviews, she was overcome with excitement inside.
"It's always exciting to win it, no matter how many times," said the Lucedale, Miss. Product. "It meant a lot last year and it means just as much this year."
Those Tech fans who made the journey to Norfolk either by bus or plane, didn't leave disappointed.
"My mom got out of Louisiana for the first time in her life," said Kelly, "because she wanted to see me play my last game."
"My mama didn't make it," laughed super sub Debra Rodman, "but she took a television to church back in Dallas."
Cheyney State head coach Vivian Stringer might have wished she was watching the last 10 minutes on television, after Tech began to put the finishing touches on their victory.
"Tech is the type of team you just can't play just one half against," she said. "It takes two and we didn't do it. Eventually, Tech's depth and talent killed us. We couldn't match up with them after a while. When Tech goes to their bench they don't seem to miss a thing."
When Cheyney wasn't seeing Mulkey put dents in their zone defense, they were watching junior Jennifer White guide the floor game with equal effectiveness.
"You know they came out more excited than we were the first half," said White. "But when we started pressing on defense, getting a steal here and a bucket there, we were back in it and they never recovered.
"We had set a goal of another national championship this year and you can't get any less than that. Now we'll relax and in a few months get ready to work for another one."
Tech fans, especially athletic trainer Sam Wilkinson, are probably already preparing for a third try at the title in 1983.
With just under two minutes left to play, Tech's rooting section at the Scope, held up bumper stickers which read, "Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters, 1981-82 NCAA National Champions."
A few minutes later Wilkinson brings out a red-white-and-blue T-shirt on the Tech bench.
The message blazed across the front: "Lady Techsters, 1982 National Champs."
It couldn't have been said better.
