Stephen F. Austin
Northwestern State
Northwestern State Completes Sweep of SFA
3/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 2, 2004
NACOGDOCHES - Despite a 19-point outing from sophomores LaToya Mills and Kendria Smith, the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack basketball team lost to Northwestern State, 75-72, in a thriller at the William R. Johnson Coliseum Tuesday night. The loss drops SFA to 8-18 (.308) on the season and 8-7 (.533) in Southland Conference play. The Ladyjacks are now in a two-way tie for fifth place in league standings with Texas State.
The Ladyjacks' defense held Northwestern State to 10-of-36 (.278) shooting from the floor in the first half as SFA built a nine-point advantage, 22-13, with 8:52 remaining. But the Lady Demons went on a 10-0 run to reclaim the lead behind La'Terrica Dobin's 25 points. Despite Dobin's performance the Ladyjacks trailed by only two, 35-33, at half time.
The Lady Demons seemed to take control in the second half building an 11-point lead, two minutes into the half. But Mills rallied the Ladyjacks behind her 19 points and team-high 13 rebounds. Smith also added 19 points and a career-high nine rebounds as SFA fought back to tie the game at 54 with 8:21 remaining.
Northwestern State built its lead back to six points on a couple of occasions late in the half but junior Tiffany Perkins kept the game close as she scored 18 points on 7-of-12 (.583) shooting, and 4-of-6 (.667) from beyond the three-point arc. But the Lady Demons hit their free throws down the stretch to put the game on ice.
Northwestern State was 23-for-61 (.377) from the floor while holding the Ladyjacks to a 27-of-77 (.351) performance. SFA outrebounded the Lady Demons for the second time this season, 49-44.
Junior Jaliyla Muhammad came off the bench to score 10 points and dish out three assists for SFA. Sophomore Kirby Killingsworth was held scoreless in the contest but had a huge night on the glass pulling down eight rebounds.
The Ladyjacks return to action Friday when they travel to Texas State. The game against the Bobcats is slated to get under way at 5:30 p.m.
-SFA-
