TSU women learn post-brawl lessons, receive WNIT assignment

COACH JOHNETTA HAYES-PERRY
Courtesy: TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

HOUSTON, Texas -- Last Tuesday, Johnetta Hayes-Perry walked out to center court in a black dress and held a funeral.

It was a much different mood Monday night, when the Texas Southern women's basketball coach learned the Tigers' assignment in the Women's National Invitation Tournament, which they will play in for the second time in her two years at the helm.


TSU (19-10) will travel to Southern Mississippi (22-10) on Thursday for its first game since a March 7 matchup with Southern ended with an embarrassing on-court brawl that resulted in 15 total suspensions and dashed NCAA Tournament dreams.

"We put things behind us," Hayes-Perry said. "We make mistakes. We learn. We grow. That's kind of been our motto."

Hence the funeral, a private ceremony during practice three days after the incident, which happened at the 12:36 mark of the second half and led to the SWAC office's ruling the game a double forfeit.

hen they saw her, TSU's players asked, "Coach, I'm so sorry. Who died?"

CONTINUE READING