The Red and Black

Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: ILANA MCQUINN Porsha Phillips battles Dani Wright of Peach State Elite for a rebound in last night's exhibition game. [Click to enlarge]

She was in attendance, but no, Tasha Humphrey was not in uniform for the Lady Dogs in Wednesday night's exhibition opener against the Peach State Elite.

Fortunately, the play of sophomores Porsha Phillips and Jasmine Lee helped the Lady Dogs forget for a night that they had a former All-American dominate the post last season.

Phillips, a 6-foot-2 transfer from LSU, registered 16 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks in her first appearance for the team.

"I couldn't do it without my teammates," Phillips said. "I think we played pretty good together. We need to work on our offense and be more effective."

She admitted to being nervous yet excited for her first game as Lady Dog.

"I was anxious, but my teammates helped me mentally and physically," Phillips said.

Phillips displayed her length in the waning minutes of the game with the game still close. After two key blocks on the defensive end, she grabbed her eighth and final offensive rebound which she turned in to an lay-up for a five-point lead.

Head coach Andy Landers praised the work of his sophomore forward after the team's lone preseason game.

"[Phillips] has some special abilities," Landers said. "She has a knack for getting to the ball whether it's a rebound or a block on defense."

Lee and Phillips combined for 14 of the Lady Dogs' 27 offensive rebounds.

Lee attributed the Lady Dogs' success inside to the length and athleticism of the post players. Lee, Phillips, and senior Danielle Taylor gave Peach State Elite trouble throughout the night as the guests were unable to secure rebounds which gave the Lady Dogs easy second chance points.

"Anytime me, Porsha, and Christy [Marshall] are out there, we are going to get a lot of rebounds," Lee said.

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