Stephen F. Austin
Nicholls State*
Ladyjacks Open SLC Play with 21-Point Win
1/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 5, 2006
NACOGDOCHES - Senior LaToya Mills scored a season-high 28 points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds to lead the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks to an 80-59 victory over Nicholls State Thursday night. The win improved SFA to 7-5 (.583) overall and 1-0 in Southland Conference play, while the Lady Colonels drop to 1-11 (.083) overall and 0-1 in league play.
The Ladyjacks hit four of their first five shots to build a 9-0 advantage and never looked back. Not to be outdone, the Ladyjacks defense also got the job done Thursday night. SFA held Nicholls State to a 1-of-6 (.167) performance to start the game and continued to apply the pressure throughout, forcing the Lady Colonels into 21 turnovers, which SFA cashed in for 23 points.
Sophomore Nikki Carr scored all 12 of her points in the first half as the Ladyjacks built a 17-point halftime lead, 44-27. Carr was a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor in the first half, including hitting both of her three-point attempts. Carr also finished the game with a team-high seven assists.
The Lady Colonels mounted a charge in the second half. NSU shot 13-of-21 (62 percent) in the second half to cut the Ladyjack lead to nine points, 57-48, with 10:27 remaining. But the Ladyjacks turned to their defense once again to get the job done. SFA continued to force Nicholls State into miscues while out-rebounding the visitors, 44-31, for the game. Senior Kirby Killingsworth stepped up to score eight of her 10 points in the second half to help quiet the NSU rally.
SFA finished the game 33-of-69 (.478) from the floor, including a 5-of-13 (.385) performance from beyond the three-point arc. The Ladyjacks held Nicholls State to a 22-of-54 (.407) performance, but surrendered 7-of-14 three-point field goals. Junior Charity Egenti came off the Ladyjack bench to score nine points and grab three rebounds, while classmate Jennifer Simpson scored eight points and recorded four rebounds.
The Ladyjacks return to action Saturday afternoon to host Southeastern Louisiana. The game against the Lady Lions is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m., from the William R. Johnson Coliseum.
-SFA-
