Stephen F. Austin Upsets Defending Conference Champion McNeese State
Stephen F. Austin 66, McNeese State 58
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - On the heels of allowing 95 points in a stinging loss at Texas State, the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks responded Saturday with an impressive 66-58 victory over the defending Southland Conference champion and current co-conference leading McNeese State Cowgirls, 66-58 at William R. Johnson Coliseum.
The Ladyjacks (15-6, 5-3) played one of their most sound games of the season by shooting 41 percent from the field compared to just 36 percent for the Cowgirls. SFA also got the job done offensively as a unit with five Ladyjacks scoring six or more points, including double-figure efforts from Tammara Marion (15 points), Porsha Roberts (13 points) and Brittney Matthew (10 points).
McNeese State (17-6, 7-2) was led in scoring by the dynamic duo of Ashlyn Baggett (21 points) and Caitlyn Baggett (16 points) but as a team struggled mightily from three-point territory where the Ladyjacks limited them to just
23 percent shooting (7-of-31), including just 2-of-15 in the second half from long distance.
For a complete recap, visit www.sfajacks.cstv.com or www.mcneesesports.com.
Nicholls State 83, Texas State 74
SAN MARCOS, Texas - The Nicholls State University women's basketball team shot a scorching 63 percent in the second half as the Colonels defeated West Division leading Texas State, 83-74, at the Strahan Coliseum in Southland Conference action on Saturday afternoon.
Senior Sumar Leslie led the Colonels (12-10, 5-4) with a game-high 29 points, KK Babin scored 23 points including five 3-pointers and junior Alisha Allen eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for her career, finishing the day with 17 points.
Allen headed into Saturday's contest needing 13 points to reach the plateau. With 11:08 left in the game, the native of Garland, Texas scored a layup to achieve the milestone. The last Colonel to reach 1,000 career points was Katherine Plummer in 2008.
For a complete recap, visit www.geauxcolonels.com or www.txstatebobcats.com.
Lamar 54, UTSA 51
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Jasmin Henderson's 3-pointer with less than 10 seconds remaining lifted the Lamar University women's basketball team to a 54-51 win over host UTSA in a Southland Conference game Saturday afternoon.
It was the only field goal of the game for Henderson, but it proved to be a big one as it gave the Lady Cardinals (11-11 overall, 3-5 Southland) their second dying-seconds victory in as many seasons over the Roadrunners (7-14, 3-5). Last season, Ang Green hit three free throws with 1.1 seconds remaining to propel Lamar to a 69-67 win.
Lamar trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half when UTSA's Simone Young nailed a 3-pointer to give the Roadrunners a 41-31 advantage with 8:47 remaining. Lamar battled back and took the lead at 50-48 on a Kalis Loyd jumper with 1:07 remaining. The Roadrunners got three free throws from Kamra King to take a 51-50 lead, setting up Henderson's heroics.
For a complete recap, visit www.lamarcardinals.com or www.goutsa.com.
Central Arkansas 53, UT Arlington 51
ARLINGTON, Texas - Several times this season, Central Arkansas has put together subpar first halves only to pull out a victory with a big second half rally.
But none quite like this one.
After trailing 16 at halftime and by as many as 24 in the second half - and still down 11 with 3:15 to play - the Sugar Bears put together their most furious comeback and walked out of the College Park Center with an improbable 53-51 victory over UT Arlington on Saturday.
After a 3-pointer from Megan Herbert, who had 22 points and 14 rebounds for her 58th career double-double, the Sugar Bears (18-4, 8-1 Southland) were down nine with 3:44 to play before a pair of free throws from UTA's Briana Walker made it 51-40 with 3:26 to go.
For a complete recap, visit www.ucasports.com or www.utamavs.com.
Sam Houston State 67, Southeastern Louisiana 46
HUNTSVILLE, Texas - Sequeena Thomas scored 24 points and pulled down 16 rebounds for her sixth consecutive double-double as Sam Houston State defeated Southeastern Louisiana 67-46 in a Southland Conference women's basketball game Saturday afternoon.
Sam Houston (11-9, 6-3) ran away and hid from the Lions in the second half after leading by only three, 26-23, at intermission.
The Bearkats opened the second period with a 16-4 run in the first six minutes and out-scored the Lions 41-23 for the half.
Britni Martin added 19 points, six rebounds and five assists to give SHSU two players in double figures.
For a complete recap, visit www.gobearkats.com or www.lionsports.net.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 88, Northwestern State 86
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Myeisha Myles' winning shot with 2.4 seconds left lifted the Texas A&M - Corpus Christi women's basketball (8-14, 4-5) team past Northwestern State, 88-86, Saturday night at the American Bank Center. The Islanders were powered by four players in double-figure scoring in a game that featured 13 ties and 19 lead changes.
The Islanders scored a season-high 88 points, including 32 points in the paint and shot 42.7 percent (32-75) from the field. Texas A&M - Corpus Christi turned the Lady Demons' 22 turnovers into 26 points and scored 27 points on second chance points. The Islanders also edged the Lady Demons on the boards 43-41.
Myles paced the Islanders with a career-high 27 points and 14 rebounds and junior Verne'qua Taylor also scored a double-double with 15 points and a career-high 10 assists, while tallying seven rebounds, three shy of a triple double, while adding five steals. She now holds the Islanders all-time assist record as a junior with 110 assists this season. Junior Alisa Roberts also had a career-night with a career-high 21 points including 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Sophomore Brandi Huff also chipped in double-figure scoring efforts with 10 points and seven rebounds,
For a complete recap, visit www.goislanders.com or www.nsudemons.com.