Central Arkansas Wins Double Overtime Thriller Against McNeese State
Central Arkansas 71, McNeese State 70 - 2OT
CONWAY, Ark. - At the end of a grueling double-overtime slugfest between Southland Conference leaders Central Arkansas and McNeese State, the Sugar Bears escaped with the win thanks to a made free throw.
A McNeese State made free throw.
Her team down three with 1.8 second left, McNeese guard Caitlyn Baggett stepped to the line for a pair after the Sugar Bears opted to foul late to prevent a 3-point shot attempt by the Cowgirls, who had hit 11 in the game. Baggett nailed the first, then attempted to miss the second for a shot at an offensive rebound and a score to tie or win. Instead, the second shot went through the net and the Sugar Bears were able to inbound the ball to Destinee Rogers and run out the clock to deal the Cowgirls their first conference loss of the season, winning 71-70 in two overtimes.
The Sugar Bears (16-4, 6-1 Southland) remain perfect in 12 home games this season and move into a tie with the Cowgirls (16-5, 6-1) for the top spot in the league standings.
But it wasn't without a major fight.
For a complete recap, visit www.ucasports.com or www.mcneesesports.com.
Southeastern Louisiana 73, Northwestern State 66
HAMMOND, La. - Southeastern Louisiana sophomore forward Aja Gibson had a season-high 20 points to go with 10 rebounds, as the Lady Lions picked up their first Southland Conference victory, 73-66, over Northwestern State in league women's basketball action Saturday afternoon at the University Center.
Gibson's third double-double of the season highlighted an efficient attack for Southeastern (6-13, 1-5 Southland), which shot 51.9 percent (28-for-54) from the floor on the way to snapping a five-game losing streak. Many of Southeastern's offensive opportunities were the result of a tough pressure defense that forced Northwestern State (5-15, 1-6 Southland) into 18 turnovers.
Southeastern Louisiana head coach Lori Davis Jones was proud of her team's efforts on both ends of the floor.
For a complete recap, visit www.lionsports.net or www.nsudemons.com.
Nicholls State 70, Lamar 64
THIBODAUX, La. - Sophomore LiAnn McCarthy scored a career-high 24 points to lead four Colonels who finished in double figures as the Nicholls State University women's basketball team withstood a second-half comeback by the Lamar, defeating the Lady Cardinals, 70-64, at Stopher Gym on Saturday.
With the win, Nicholls improves to 11-9 on the season and 4-3 in Southland play. It also ends a seven-game losing streak against Lamar (10-10, 2-4) as well as a three-game home skid in the series.
McCarthy netted 16 points in the first half to help Nicholls to a
40-26 lead at the break. The New Orleans native had two 3-pointers in the stanza as Nicholls shot 6-of-14 from downtown. In the second half, McCathy connected on four field goals, including a crucial layup in the final seconds to secure the victory for the Colonels.
For a complete recap, visit www.geauxcolonels.com or www.lamarcardinals.com.
Sam Houston State 67, UTSA 55
HUNTSVILLE, Texas - Britni Martin scored 17 points and Sequeena Thomas added 16 points and 13 rebounds as Sam Houston State defeated UTSA 67-55 in a Southland Conference women's basketball game Saturday afternoon at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
Sam Houston (10-8, 5-2) rallied from six points down with 10:16 to play to tie the game 53-53 with 2:56 to play and outscore the Roadrunners 14-2 in the final two-and-a-half minutes.
UTSA (7-12, 3-3) was led by Kamra King with 13 points. The Roadrunners had more success at the free throw line than from the field as UTSA was 24-of-30 from the charity stripe (80 percent) and only 14-of-53 from the field (26.4 percent).
Sam Houston out-rebounded UTSA 46-43 and outscored the Roadrunners in the pair 24-16.
For a complete recap, visit www.gobearkats.com or www.goutsa.com.
Texas State 90, UT Arlington 73
ARLINGTON, Texas - A 27-4 run over the final 7:44, proved to be the difference as the Texas State women's basketball team defeated UT Arlington in the final game at Texas Hall, Saturday in Arlington. Diamond Ford and Ashley Ezeh led the Bobcats with 27 and 26 points apiece respectively. For Ezeh, the 26 points were a career-high.
Down 69-63, the Bobcats responded defensively, only allowing four points over the final 7:44. Ezeh got the roll started, getting a layup out of a timeout before picking up a steal the next time down and hitting Kaylan Martin for three. Martin finished the game with 16 points, 13 of which came in the second half.
Martin's three was the first of three straight for the Bobcats, which finished with 11 treys for the game. Offensively the Bobcats' 90 points was the most against a Southland Conference opponent since Feb. 14, 2008 when the team scored 99 against McNeese.
For a complete recap, visit www.txstatebobcats.com or www.utamavs.com.
Stephen F. Austin 69, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 57
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks erased an early 14-point deficit and put down the clamps defensively to earn their second straight conference victory, defeating Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 69-57 Saturday evening at William R. Johnson Coliseum.
SFA senior guard Tammara Marion once again led the way offensively, scoring a game-high 20 points, 13 of which came in the second half. Ashlee Mells also scored in double-figures (10 points) for a second straight game and tied Porsha Roberts with a game-high eight rebounds.
The Ladyjacks (14-5, 4-2) limited the Islanders to just 21 percent (6-of-28) shooting in the second half and forced 22 A&M-Corpus Christi turnovers on the evening.
For a complete recap, visit www.sfajacks.cstv.com or www.goislanders.com.