Anderson women deny Dogs' title bid

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 5, 2006 2:20 AM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- LaShonda Chiles is getting used to cutting down nets and earning Most Valuable Player honors.

And opposing coaches can't wait for the 5-foot-2 dynamic guard to graduate. But guess what?

She's got another year to go, folks.

Chiles pumped in a game-high 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds as Anderson (S.C.) University claimed its third consecutive Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference tournament title with an 83-80, overtime conquest of Barton College on Saturday afternoon.

"I just came to play really hard and give it everything I've got," said a modest Chiles, who earned tournament MVP accolades for the third straight year. "I just wanted to prove my skills, I guess."

Chiles hit the go-ahead 3-pointer at the end of regulation to give the Trojans a 71-70 advantage. Deidra Langston, who earned a spot on the all-tournament team, hit one free throw to make it 72-70 with seven seconds to go.

Barton's Kim Butts forced overtime with a driving layup that dropped through the net with 0.9 seconds remaining.

Anderson, ranked No. 3 in the NCAA Division II East Region poll, converted its first five possessions in overtime. The Trojans built a five-point lead on three different occasions.

"We didn't stop them when we needed to," said veteran Barton coach Wendee Saintsing. "We didn't pull some boards down at the (defensive) end several times in overtime.

"When you're giving them second and third chances, they're going to make it. We didn't execute the way we needed to in overtime."

Barton's Keauna Vinson, who fouled out in regulation, posted her second double-double -- 17 points, 23 rebounds -- in a 24-hour span.

Langston added 22 points for Anderson.