Central Arkansas Uses Late Rally to Defeat Northwestern State
Central Arkansas 67, Northwestern State 61
NATCHITOCHES, La. - It wasn't easy, or pretty, but Central Arkansas once again rallied late to pull out a 67-61 win at Northwestern State to run its league-leading winning streak to six games.
The Sugar Bears (17-4, 7-1 Southland) trailed the Lady Demons (5-16, 1-7) five at the half and, despite taking a lead late in the half, once again found themselves down five with under four minutes to play. But the Sugar Bears closed strong, scoring the game's final 10 points to escape with their third straight win inside Prather Coliseum.
The game-clinching run started in unique fashion, as Megan Herbert was only granted the first free throw of a two-shot foul coming out of the media time out. After she made the first to trim the NSU lead to 61-57 with 3:40 to play, the ball was given to the Lady Demons, who inbounded and ran nine seconds off the clock before play was stopped. After the officials conferred, Herbert was sent back to the line for one free throw which she missed, and possession was given back to the Lady Demons on the dead ball.
For a complete recap, visit www.ucasports.com or www.nsudemons.com.
UT Arlington 51, UTSA 40
ARLINGTON, Texas - One game down, one victory in the books. For the UT Arlington women's basketball team, its 51-40 victory Wednesday night over UT San Antonio was a picture perfect way to open the College Park Center.
The Mavericks (4-15, 2-5 Southland) did just that, forcing 25 turnovers while limiting UTSA (7-13, 3-4) under 30 percent shooting from the field for the game.
Sophomore Malaika Green finished with a game-high 15 points and added four steals, while classmate Briana Walker scored 12 first-half points and finished with 13.
UTA returns to action Saturday at 2 p.m. against Central Arkansas.
For a complete recap, visit www.utamavs.com or www.goutsa.com.
Southeastern Louisiana 69, Lamar 61
BEAUMONT, Texas - Southeastern senior guard Latoria Holder scored a game-high 16 points to lead the Lady Lions to their first road win of the season, 69-61, over Lamar in Southland Conference women's basketball action Wednesday night in the Montagne Center.
Senior guard Jessica Sommers hit a tie-breaking three with just over two minutes left, as Southeastern closed the game with a 13-3 run to improve to 7-13 overall and 2-5 in league play. Lamar (10-11, 2-5 Southland) lost for only the second time at home this season.
Holder's career night highlighted perhaps Southeastern's most balanced offensive effort of the year. Holder was joined in double figures by Sommers (12 points), senior guard Kelli Jenkins (11 points) and sophomore forward Aja Gibson (11 points). Junior forward Brandi Simmons and freshman guard Elizabeth Styles added nine points each.
For a complete recap, visit www.lionsports.net or www.lamarcardinals.com.
McNeese State 57, Sam Houston State 48
LAKE CHARLES, La. - Ashlyn Baggett led a trio of McNeese State Cowgirls with 18 points on their way to a 57-48 Southland Conference victory over Sam Houston State here Wednesday night. Caitlyn Baggett chipped in 14 points, all coming in the second half and Kendra Wells recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Martika Hull also ended the game with 10 rebounds.
McNeese held a slim one point lead (22-21) at the half behind a 33.3 field goal shooting percent. McNeese held the lead for most of the game, trailing once in the game, by two points with 12:10 left in the game. The Cowgirls held its largest lead of the game (14 points) with 0:58 seconds left in the game.
McNeese ended the game shooting 35.0 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from the free throw line, scoring nine of its last 15 points from the charity stripe. The Cowgirls ended the game making 10 of 15 free throws with Caitlyn Baggett connecting on five of seven.
For a complete recap, visit www.mcneesesports.com or www.gobearkats.com.
Texas State 95, Stephen F. Austin 87
SAN MARCOS, Texas - The Texas State women's basketball had a school record performance from the free throw line, helping it knock off Stephen F. Austin, 95-87, Wednesday night at Strahan Coliseum. With the win the Bobcats are now in sole possession of the Southland Conference West Division lead at 5-2.
With the game tied at 71-71, the Bobcats became more aggressive, scoring 24 of its second half 51 points in the last 4:21 of the game. In that stretch Texas State attempted 30 of its season-high 60 free throws. Diamond Ford finished the game 16-of-18 from the line.
Texas State got off to a fast start, taking a 17-9 lead in the first six minutes. Ford paced the Bobcats early, scoring six quick points. The team was aided by hot shooting to start, making seven of its first nine shots.
For a complete recap, visit www.txstatebobcats.com or www.sfajacks.cstv.com.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 70, Nicholls State 63
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Zoe Vega-Vega powered the Texas A&M - Corpus Christi women's basketball team (7-14, 3-5) with her third double-double of the season and Verne'qua Taylor tallied a career-high 20 points to lift the Islanders to a 70-63 victory over Nicholls State (11-10, 4-4) Wednesday night at the American Bank Center.
Taylor led all scorers with her seventh double-digit scoring game while dishing out six assists and tallying two steals in 36 minutes. Taylor is now seven assists shy of tying the Islanders all-time assists record for a junior. Vega-Vega led the glass with 12 rebounds and registered 14 points for the Islanders. Texas A&M - Corpus Christi took the lead with 14:36 to play in the first half and never trailed through the rest of the game.
The Islanders shot 44.4 (28-of-63) from the field to the Colonels 37.1 percent, while shooting 81.8 percent (9-of-11) from the charity stripe. Texas A&M - Corpus Christi outrebounded the Colonels 41-35. Sophomore Brandi Huff propelled the Islanders with seven of the Islanders 24 bench points.
The Colonels were paced by four players in double-digit scoring, behind Sumar Leslie's 10 points and six assists. LiAnn McCarthy added 13 points, Alisha Allen tallied 11 and KK Babin chipped in 10.
For a complete recap, visit www.goislanders.com or www.geauxcolonels.com.