Stephen F. Austin
McNeese State*
SFA Lassos McNeese State
1/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 14, 2006
LAKE CHARLES, La. - Sophomore point guard Nikki Carr scored 19 points to lead the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks to a 69-63 victory over McNeese State Saturday afternoon in Lake Charles, La. The Ladyjacks are now 10-5 (.667) on the season and a perfect 4-0 in Southland Conference play. The Ladyjacks have also won five straight games, and six of their last seven.
Despite being out rebounded, the Ladyjacks forged an early 10-point lead with some timely shooting and by forcing McNeese State into 23 turnovers. SFA was 5-of-12 (.417) from beyond the three-point arc and scored 24 points off Cowgirl mistakes. The Cowgirls' leading scorer, Regina Spivey was forced to the bench early in the first half with two quick fouls.
The Ladyjacks led by 12 points, 28-16, with 3:59 remaining in the first, McNeese State went on a 9-2 run to close out the half and pull within five points, 30-25, heading into the locker room. Shamika Stewart led McNeese State with 21 points and nine rebounds.
SFA responded to the challenge in the second stanza opening with a 15-4 run in the first 4:48 of the second half to build back a double-digit lead, 45-29. Senior Kirby Killingsworth led the charge by scoring 17 points for a second straight night. She finished the game 5-of-7 (.714) from the floor, including a 3-of-5 (.600) performance from beyond the arc.
McNeese State made one last rally late in the game pulling within four points on several occasions, but they could get no closer as SFA hit its free throws down the stretch. The Ladyjacks finished the game 26-for-38 (.684) from the charity stripe.
Senior LaToya Mills scored 14 points and pulled down 6 rebounds despite facing double and triple teams all afternoon. Classmate Kendria Smith added nine points and six rebounds, while junior Jennifer Simpson scored four points and tied a career-high with nine rebounds.
Spivey finished the game with 13 points and eight rebounds for the Cowgirls. Senior Marquita Williams scored nine points and added eight rebounds in a losing effort.
The Ladyjacks return to action Thursday to host Texas State. The game against the Bobcats is slated to begin at 7 p.m., from the William R. Johnson Coliseum.
-SFA-
