Stephen F. Austin
McNeese State
Ladyjacks Beat McNeese State
1/4/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 4, 2003
NACOGDOCHES - Senior Yolanda Grant (Flatonia, Texas) led the way with a season-high 10 points and a career-high 12 rebounds as the Ladyjacks held off McNeese State Saturday night, 59-51. The Ladyjacks improved to 3-7 (.429) overall and 3-0 in the Southland Conference.
The Ladyjacks held off McNeese State despite shooting only 10-of-34 (.294) in the first half. SFA built a nine-point first-half advantage on a three-pointer by freshman Kim Branch (Wortham, Texas) with 6:32 remaining before the intermission. But it was the Ladyjacks' tough defense that helped them maintain the lead throughout the first half. SFA recorded eight blocks, 10 steals and forced McNeese State into 21 turnovers. The Ladyjacks also beat McNeese State on the glass, winning the rebounding war, 42-38. SFA led by four, 25-21, at the intermission.
Despite its 3-of-18 (.625) shooting from behind the three-point arc, the Ladyjacks were able to push its advantage to as many as 12 points in the second half, riding Branch's game-high 12 points. The Cowgirls went on an 8-2 and cut the lead to six points with less than a minute remaining, but SFA didn't allow the Cowgirls to get any closer.
Freshman LaToya Mills (Houston, Texas) came off the bench to score 10 points and pull down eight rebounds. Classmate Jamie Boles (Keller, Texas) finished with seven points.
McNeese State was led by Kellie Burbridge's 16 points and eight rebounds.
SFA will return to action Thursday, Jan. 9th, against Nicholls State. The game is slated to tipoff at 5:45 p.m., from Stopher Gymnasium in Thibodaux, La.
-SFA-
