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Riley faces postseason suspension

PENALIZED
Andrea Riley: Will sit out the Cowgirls' first NCAA Tournament game in 2009.
 
By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer
Published: 8/29/2008  2:09 AM
Last Modified: 8/29/2008  2:59 AM

OSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL



If Oklahoma State makes the NCAA Women's basketball tournament this season, Andrea Riley will not be available for the first game.

The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee handed the Oklahoma State guard a one-game tournament suspension for an altercation during the second half of the Oklahoma State-LSU regional semifinal game on March 29 at the New Orleans Regional.

Riley will not miss any regular-season games and will be eligible for NCAA Tournament play after the first game.

The committee voted to issue a public reprimand to Riley, withhold her 2008 per diem allowance to Oklahoma State (room and board and meal money while the team travels) and suspend Riley from participation for the next Division I Women's Basketball Tournament game for which she would be eligible to participate.

"The committee was very disappointed in Ms. Riley's actions and felt that the fighting situation was in violation of the principles of fair play and sportsmanship that are so important in our championship," said Sue Donohoe, NCAA vice president for Division I Women's Basketball.

In a prepared statement, Cowgirls coach Kurt Budke said, "We play by the rules at Oklahoma State and we respect the decision of the committee. Andrea Riley is a great player that is becoming an even better person. She will learn from this and move forward."

Video from the game shows Riley slap LSU guard Erica White on the back of the head. Although no foul was called an no one was ejected from the game, the committee felt the incident warranted a reprimand.

Said Riley, "I was pretty disappointed that I let my actions get away from me. Everybody makes mistakes. I apologized to the university, my teammates and the coaches. I realize now my actions hurt my team."

The altercation prompted LSU coach Van Chancellor to pull White from the game in an attempt to diffuse the situation.

When asked about the incident in post-game interviews, Chancellor said, "I just told her that she needed to settle down. We had been talking to her about (the game) is about LSU and Oklahoma State, and not Erica White and (Andrea) Riley. I just wanted her to calm down."

Chancellor also was asked if Riley got too physical.

"I don't think so," he said. "They didn't technical her. I thought it was just two competitive kids playing ball. Just play. I'm not into all of that. Riley's a heck of a player. She had 28 points. But our point guard is a pretty good player too."

Riley also was asked about the incident and if this was "the feistiest game you've played against another guard."

"I've been through very physical games in the Big 12 with a bunch of point guards," she said. "Most of the point guards in our league are very good and play great defense. There are times when you have to handle adversity. I think I handled it pretty well. Coach is always reminding me about the big picture. If things are getting frustrating, don't get caught up in the heat of the moment."

Pressed on the exchange between she and White, Riley said, "It was just two guards being physical and trying to lead their teams to a victory. Things go like that sometimes.

"Everything was cool after the game because we left everything on the floor."

This incident followed a similar altercation in the Big 12 Conference Tournament. Game replays showed Riley shove Texas' Earnesia Williams in the Cowgirls' semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns.

A second team All-America selection and Big 12 first team honoree last year, Riley averaged a league-best 23.1 points a game. She also led the league in steals (104) and ranked fifth in free throw percentage (.726), seventh in 3-point field goals made (70) and fourth in minutes played (34.74 average).

She started all 35 games for the Cowgirls, and in addition to being the team's leading scorer, she recorded 146 assists and 104 steals.



Lynn Jacobsen 581-8461
lynn.jacobsen@tulsaworld.com
By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer

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Report Comment
twatwa, Norman (8/29/2008 5:47:58 PM)
She should have be banned from any and all NCAA sports after doing what she did playing against LSU. Sorry excuse for someone to represent the State of Oklahoma.
Report Comment
Scrithcner, Tulsa (8/29/2008 8:29:02 PM)
Hmmm, I noticed after I read your comment that your from Norman. I wondered where that hostility was coming from. Hmmm
Report Comment
twatwa, Norman (8/29/2008 11:18:47 PM)
If she was on OUs team, I would say the same thing, We don't need players like her playing the sport. If you wants to fight, she needs to take up boxing.
 

 
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