Lady Hawks open MLK with 43-40 win over Lady Patriots Published Jan. 19, 2008 By John Ingle 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Lackland Lady Warhawks overcame a 20-17 halftime deficit here Jan. 19 with a stifling zone defense to defeat the Altus Lady Patriots, 43-40. The game was the first in the women's bracket of the 2008 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. basketball tournament hosted at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Only five women's teams signed up for the tournament this year. Lackland outscored Altus 26-20 in the second half, but their defense became the focus after Lady Patriot Trina Robinson nailed a 3-pointer with 1:20 left on the clock, bringing the Lady Patriots within a point at 41-40. Jason Sparks, coach of the Lady Warhawks, said their zone defense was key in keeping the ball away from Altus' bigger post players. The strategy worked as the Lady Patriots weren't able to convert near the goal. "They did an excellent job," Sparks said of his team. "I told them at halftime to stay calm and focused." Neither team could get much going in the first half as turnovers and missed shots kept the score low. Lackland took an early lead, but a 7-0 run by the Lady Patriots put them up 17-14 with a few minutes left in the half. Altus Coach Andre Chilton said the game could have been different if the low post play had been better. "Our post players weren't aggressive," he said. "They settled for jumpers." When the Lady Patriots did press under the goal, Sarah Mills and April Copeland were able to either connect on the close shots, or get to the free-throw line. But, the opportunities didn't come often enough. "We have to try to find a way out of the losers' bracket," Chilton said. "We'll do it the hard way." Editor's note: Information about other games in the women's bracket will be posted when available.