Ladyjacks Outlast Sam Houston State
2/16/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 16, 2002
HUNTSVILLE, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack basketball team struggled in the first half but finally held off a scrappy Sam Houston State Ladykat team, 83-70, Saturday night in the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. The Ladyjacks are now 18-5 overall and alone in first place of the with a 15-1 Southland Conference mark.
The Ladykats jumped out of the gate quickly taking a 5-1 lead over SFA. Sam Houston State extended its lead to as many as seven points in the first half led by Alice Johnson's 15 first-half points on 4-of-5 shooting. The Ladyjacks were able to take a three-point advantage, 36-33, into the intermission. Senior Latisha Prater (Cottonport, La.) helped the Ladyjacks to the slim lead with her 14 points and 12 rebounds. Prater was one of five Ladyjacks to net double-figure points in the contest.
The game remained close throughout the second-half until SFA took a two-point lead, 55-53, on a layup by senior Chaquita Dilworth (Temple, Texas) with 11 minutes and 15 seconds remaining. Dilworth finished the game with 12 points and eight rebounds.
The Ladykats Paulette Valentine kept SHSU close with her 19 second-half points but SFA would not surrender its lead. Junior Nathesia Wright (Arlington, Texas) helped SFA put the game on ice with her game-high 23 points.
Junior Amy Collins (San Antonio, Texas) scored 12 points, pulled down five rebounds and added a block while senior Jessica Guild (Flower Mound, Texas) added 10 points, six rebounds and dished eight assists.
The Ladyjacks return to action Monday night against Lamar. The game against the Cardinals is slated for a 7 p.m., tipoff.
