There were several things missing from LSU’s game against Vanderbilt Thursday night in the PMAC.
Lady Tigers head coach Sue Gunter missed her 10th game, and now will sit out the entire season, including postseason while she recovers from bronchitis, the team announced before LSU’s 61-55 loss to Vandy.
Gunter will continue to participate in film sessions, practices and game preparation at her own discretion. The decision to lessen her work load was made after consultation with her doctor and discussions with LSU Athletics Director Skip Bertman and senior women’s administrator Judy Southard.
“Sue has an existing lung problem that has been worsened by acute bronchitis,” said her physician, Dr. James Osterberger. “How she feels varies from day to day, which is typical of this condition. As she improves, that variance will diminish and her well-being will become more consistent.”
Bertman said in a statement that Gunter will still be active in the program.
“Sue Gunter will still be running the women’s basketball program at LSU, but right now the most important thing is for her to gain some continuity in her health,” Bertman said. “The strain of day-to-day full-time coaching duties is not conducive to recovery from a health condition like this. I have every confidence in Pokey Chatman, Bob Starkey and Carla Berry to manage the team under Sue’s direction.”
LSU associate coach and former Tigers’ All-American Dana “Pokey” Chatman will continue to serve as acting head coach in Gunter’s absence.
Point guard Temeka Johnson said not having Gunter as coach for the rest of the season was not a major ordeal.
“I think it’s the best thing for her,” Johnson said. “We’d love to have coach Gunter on the bench, but she’s with us regardless and we still have confidence in coach Chatman, coach Starkey and everybody.”
Chatman said she wanted to attribute the Lady Tigers’ poor play to not having Gunter, but she said the team just was not ready to play mentally.
“I credit [Vanderbilt] for their performance,” Chatman said. “They never thought we’d cut into their lead.”
The Lady Tigers also were missing a solid rebounding presence and were outrebounded 41-32. Vanderbilt freshman Carla Thomas led the Lady Commodores, pouring in 22 points and 11 rebounds.
“Every team wants to win the war on the boards, but we were dominated tonight,” Chatman said. “They just outrebounded us and got to some loose balls.”
Sophomore Seimone Augustus led LSU with 18 points but was limited to only four points in the second half. Augustus said the team did not have its usual intensity and focus.
“We weren’t fired up from the start,” she said. “We had 13 turnovers in the first half, and I think it was just a lack of intensity and focus on our part.”
LSU made several comeback attempts in the second half, but could not pull closer than three points down the stretch.
Vanderbilt coach Melanie Balcomb said the team’s ability to stop Augustus in the second half helped secure the win.
“We knew when it got closer and they needed a basket, they’d go to her,” Balcomb said.
Added forward Wendlyn Jones, “It’s all about heart. You’ve got to want it. We know what we did wrong with turnovers, rebounds and defense, but what it all comes down to it heart. You’ve got to want to be there.”
Gunter to miss remainder of season
February 20, 2004