Stephen F. Austin
Arkansas
Ladyjacks Drop Season-Opener at Arkansas
11/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 23, 2002
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack basketball team kicked off the 2002-03 season in hostile territory Saturday night against No. 17 (ESPN/USA Today Top 25 poll) Arkansas. SFA lost to Arkansas, 78-54.
SFA hung tough with Arkansas for the majority of the first half, trailing the Lady Razorbacks by only three points, 24-21, with 7:04 remaining until halftime. Freshman LaToya Mills (Houston, Texas) led the charge for SFA with her team-high 15 points, on 7-of-11 shooting, and nine rebounds. But Arkansas went on an 8-0 run to take a 32-21 advantage with 4:42 left to play. The Ladyjacks could get no closer before halftime and went into the intermission trailing Arkansas, 38-26.
The Ladyjacks held Arkansas to only 14-of-41 (.341 percent) shooting in the first half, but SFA was only able to manage a 9-for-28 (.321) performance from the field.
The Ladyjacks were hurt on the glass and by turnovers in the second half as Arkansas increased its lead to as many as 17 with only 11:51 remaining. Arkansas forced 28 turnovers and outrebounded the Ladyjacks, 53-41.
But the Ladyjacks didn't go away quietly. Senior Nathesia Wright (Arlington, Texas) scored 13 points and classmate Amy Collins (San Antonio, Texas) 11 points and five rebounds to spark an SFA comeback. The Ladyjacks pulled to within 11 points, 55-44, with 8:58 on the clock. But the Ladyjacks could get no closer as Arkansas went on a 17-2 run to put the game away.
The Lady Razorbacks were led by India Lewis' 19 points, while preseason All-American Shameka Christon added 18 points and four blocks.
The Ladyjacks return to action Nov. 29, against Wichita State in the UTSA Tournament. The game is slated to begin at 5 p.m., from the Convocation Center in San Antonio, Texas.
-SFA-
