Stephen F. Austin
Texas-San Antonio
Ladyjacks Advance to NCAA Championships
3/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 11, 2006
NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks are headed back to the NCAA Championships defeating Texas-San Antonio, 56-48, Saturday afternoon to earn the Southland Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA's field of 64. The Ladyjacks improve to 23-7 (.767) overall.
Senior Britany Vinson scored 13 first-half points to pace the Ladyjacks as they built a first-half double-digit lead, 23-12, with 10 minutes remaining before intermission. SFA appeared to be seeking the knockout punch early before 2006 SLC Newcomer of the Year, Vivian Ewalefo, sparked a run to help get the Roadrunners back in the game. UTSA cut the lead to two points before the Ladyjacks took a three-point lead into halftime. Ewalefo finished the game with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
UTSA held the momentum in the second half and took its first lead, 32-31, with 17:51 remaining. The game became a back-n-forth affair for the next six minutes until the Ladyjacks switched to a zone defense, which caused UTSA some problems offensively. SFA held the Roadrunners to a 6-of-35 (.171) second-half shooting performance. The 'Runners finished the game 18-of-67 (.269) overall, and shot only 4-of-21 (.190) from beyond the arc.
Although, SFA didn't have its best day from the field, it still managed a 22-of-62 (.355) outing from the field. SFA knocked down 4-of-12 (.333) three-pointers. Vinson finished the game with 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting, and was named to the all-tournament team. Senior LaToya Mills, who was named SLC tournament MVP, finished the game with 14 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore Nikki Carr added 12 points, nine rebounds and four steals.
The Ladyjacks are making their 18th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, but their first since the 2001-02 season. The NCAA Selection Show will be televised on ESPN at 6 p.m.
-SFA-
