By Michael Otero
Staff Writer
Although the Lady Pioneers’ basketball season ended with their 83-62 loss to the Falcons of Bentley University on Monday, March 17, the season they had was one to remember and one of the best that LIU Post has ever seen.
The Pioneers outscored their opponents by over eight points a game, which explains their tremendous 24-7 record. Their scoring prowess translated to their shooting percentages from the field and behind the arc as well, outshooting their opponents on average in both categories. In addition to their shooting percentages, they also averaged more assists a game and outrebounded their opponents.
Their best assisting game came against Mercy College when they accumulated 15 more assists, showing their ability to play solid team basketball. Their best game on the boards came against Bridgeport in early January, as they outrebounded their opponents by 30, showing their toughness and determination to extend their own possessions, as well as end possessions on the other side of the court.
The Pioneers’ longest winning streak of the season was 10 games, but they also went on a roll winning 17 out of 18 at one point, outscoring their opponents on average by double digits during that span. For the season, the Pioneers were led by their leading scorer, junior forward Chelsea Williams. Williams averaged 20 points, six rebounds, two assists, and shot over 40 percent from the field. She also shot over 200 free throws, getting the other team in foul trouble and getting easy points at the charity stripe.
Senior guards Alexis Peters and Kiki Sears averaged 14 and 13 points respectively. In addition to her scoring, Peters also averaged six boards and five assists a game. Senior forward Shayna Gatling averaged 11 points a game and shot 58 percent from the field, which led the ECC.
The Pioneers tallied their most wins since the 1982-83 season when they went 25-8. This season yielded the most wins under Coach Deirdre Moore, who has the team moving in the right direction. Moore and her squad were able to win two games in the tournament, a step in the right direction from the season prior. Coach Moore has led the Lady Pioneers to the tournament in mid-March for four consecutive seasons now, and her efforts were recognized this season when she won the ECC Coach
of the Year Award. The awards and honors were bestowed before the ECC conference championship slew of games.
In addition to Coach Moore’s award and the great season the Pioneers had as a team, the green and gold also had several players stand out in the ECC. Williams was named the 2014 ECC Women’s Basketball Player of Year and also named to the All-ECC First Team. Peters and Sears were named to the All-ECC Second Team.
Seniors from this year’s roster include Peters, Sears, Gatling, forwards Dominique Pagan, Jessica Little, and center Nijah LaCourt.
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