TEMPE, Ariz. --- A relieved Andrea Riley is back for Oklahoma State, just in time for a pint-sized point guard showdown with Georgia's Ashley Houts tonight in the second round of the women's NCAA Tournament.
Riley, the nation's No. 3 scorer at 26.6 points per game, was suspended by the NCAA for the Cowgirls' tournament opener Saturday against Chattanooga for slapping an opponent in the back of the head in the NCAA Tournament two years ago.
She watched anxiously as her team fell behind by 18 at the half, then turned to a full-court press to rally for a 70-63 victory.
"It was hard because you never want to sit out and watch your team," Riley said Oklahoma State's news conference on Sunday, "but at the same time, it's a relief because it's finally over."
Riley and Houts are the senior catalysts for teams that mixed extreme success with disappointing letdowns this season.
"They both control their teams," Oklahoma State coach Kurt Budke said. "They both are very tough young ladies who aren't going to be denied as seniors in their last go-around."
Houts averages just 12.4 points per game, but they seem to come at crucial moments. She scored nine of her 22 points in a decisive 18-2 late run that secured the Lady Bulldogs' 64-59 win over Tulane on Saturday night.
Her contributions also come with her scrappy defense and distribution to her teammates.
"She's a great kid, fierce competitor, great competitor, totally unselfish," Georgia coach Andy Landers said. "Last night she got 22, tomorrow night she could get two, if we win she's happy."
Houts has been the driving force for Georgia virtually from the day she's arrived on the Athens campus. She's been in all 100 games Georgia has played since she's been there.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
