Stephen F. Austin
High Point
Carr's Buzzer-Beater Propels SFA to Thrilling Victory
12/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 3, 2005
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Despite being out rebounded, 39-29, and being out-shot, the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack basketball team overcame an 18-point deficit to defeat High Point, 82-81, on a last second three-pointer by sophomore Nikki Carr. Carr's heroics improved SFA to 2-3 (.400) on the season and places SFA in the Air Force Classic Championship game against tournament-host Air Force.
Carr was one of four Ladyjacks to finish the game in double figures, scoring 10 points on 2-of-5 shooting from behind the three-point line. Senior Britany Vinson led the Ladyjacks' second half rally by burying 6-of-8 shots, including a 5-of-6 performance from behind the arc. Vinson finished the game with a team-high 19 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals. Classmate Kendria Smith was the Ladyjacks' big threat in the low post, with LaToya Mills in early foul trouble. Smith finished the game with 16 points.
The Ladyjacks made a couple of runs at High Point in the second half, but could get no closer than three points. But with time winding down and SFA trailing by one, 80-79, Carr was fouled and went to the free throw line to shoot two free throws. Both of Carr's free throws were off target, forcing senior Kirby Killingsworth to foul the Panthers' Katie Ralls to stop the clock. Ralls, connected on 1-of-2 free throws giving her squad an 81-79 lead with only 6.2 seconds on the clock. Carr then took the inbound pass across the half-court line and took an off-balance jumper from 23-feet away and nailed it for the victory.
Mills finished the game with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, despite limited playing time. Killingsworth added seven points, a team-high five rebounds, seven assists and two steals. The Panthers were led by Raven Truslow's 15 points, while Katie O'Dell finished the game with six points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
The Ladyjacks return to action Saturday to take on tournament-host Air Force in the championship game of the Air Force Classic. The game against the Falcons is slated to begin at 5:30 p.m., from Clune Arena.
-SFA-
