Ladyjacks Home For Two
1/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 12, 2004
NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack basketball team returns to the friendly confines of the William R. Johnson Coliseum Thursday to face McNeese State in the Southland Conference home opener. The game against the Cowgirls is slated to tipoff at 8:15 p.m. SFA will return to the court Saturday Jan. 17th, to face Southeastern Louisiana. The game against the Lady Lions is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
SFA vs. the Cowgirls: The Ladyjacks own a 33-4 (.892) all-time record against McNeese State. The Ladyjacks have won 13 of the last 14 meetings between the two schools but the Cowgirls picked up an 89-80 overtime decision in Lake Charles, La., to close out the series last season. SFA defeated McNeese State, 59-51, at the William R. Johnson Coliseum in 2002-03.
SFA vs. the Lady Lions: The Ladyjacks have dominated the all-time series against Southeastern Louisiana, winning all 15 meetings between the two schools. The Ladyjacks recorded a 63-54 victory when the two team played in Nacogdoches last season.
Tradition of Winning: The SFA Ladyjack basketball program has been one of the most dominant in women's basketball history. The Ladyjacks are among the nation's all-time top 10 with 729 wins. The Ladyjacks are also among the all-time top 10 with a .743 winning percentage (729-252).
Tradition of Winning in the SLC: As dominant as SFA has been nationally, they have been just as dominant in the Southland Conference. The Ladyjacks are the conference's most dominant team, compiling a 249-26 (.905) all-time record. SFA has won 14 of a possible 16 SLC tournament titles and 13 regular-season titles. SFA has also recorded four undefeated seasons in league play and has had 36 players named All-SLC.
Riley vs. the SLC: SFA head basketball coach Lee Ann Riley is in her third season with the Ladyjacks. During that span, Riley has coached her troops to a 34-7 (.829) mark in Southland Conference games.
Home Sweet Home: The Ladyjacks are one of the all-time winningest teams at home, with an all-time record of 318-77 (.805). The Ladyjacks have now won 52 of their last 60 games in the William R. Johnson Coliseum. The Ladyjacks were 10-2 at home last season.
Academic Shootout: The Ladyjack Academic Shootout will be held Saturday Feb. 21st, when the Ladyjacks host Nicholls State. There will be a pledge table set up at the front gate of the William R. Johnson Coliseum at every home game to sign up. Fans can pledge money for every point the Ladyjacks score against NSU. The money will go to help raise funds for summer school scholarships.
Non-Conference Power Rating: The Ladyjacks faced one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country and in school history this season, facing three teams ranked among the ESPN/USA Today top 25 and three others listed among the "others receiving votes" category. The combined record of the Ladyjacks non-conference opponents this season is 94-38 (.712).
Attacking the Glass: The Ladyjacks have steadily been improving there production on the glass. Thursday night the Ladyjacks outrebounded Northwestern State, 44-35, marking the first time SFA has rebounded an opponent since the regular-season finale against the Lady Demons last year. The Ladyjacks are averaging 37.5 rebounds per game over their last five games. The Ladyjacks are led by sophomore LaToya Mills who is averaging 6.9 rebounds per contest. The 6.9 rebounds currently lists as the fifth-best mark in the Southland Conference.
Career-High: Sophomore Kendria Smith recorded her first start of the season Thursday night against Northwestern State and she took full advantage of the opportunity. Smith recorded a career-high 16 points on 5-of-12 (.417) shooting and a 6-of-9 (.667) performance from the free-throw line. Smith tied a season-high with her four rebounds. She also added a block and a steal in 33 minutes of action.
In the Low Post: Junior Stacey Szymanski had a solid night against Northwestern State. Szymanski scored 12 points on 5-of-9 (.556) shooting while pulling down six rebounds. The 12 points marked the second time this season that Szymanski has scored in double figures (19 vs. Eastern Kentucky).
Arc Angels: Sophomore guards Kirby Killingsworth and Britany Vinson are leaving their mark on the SFA record books. Each hit a three-pointer against Northwestern State. With the three-pointer, Killingsworth now has 64 for her career. The 64 triples places her seventh all-time in school history. Killingsworth leads the team with 14 three-pointers this season. Vinson has nailed 37 treys in her career, placing her 11th all-time in school history. Vinson leads the team and is tops in the conference with a .481 three-point field-goal percentage.
Carr Show: Freshman point guard Nikki Carr continues to produce during her rookie season in the Purple and White uniform. Carr had a seven-point, eight-rebound, five-steal and four-assist performance Thursday night against Northwestern State. The eight rebounds ties a career-high which she originally set against Arkansas. Carr is also third on the team averaging 7.8 points per contest and is leading the team averaging 2.8 assists and 2.5 steals per game.
Looking Ahead ... The Ladyjacks will hit the road for a Thursday Jan. 22nd showdown at Louisiana-Monroe. The game against the Lady Indians is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., from Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The Ladyjacks will return to Nacogdoches for a Saturday, Jan. 24th game against Texas-Arlington. The game against the Mavericks is set to get underway at 6:15 p.m.
