Stephen F. Austin
McNeese State
SFA Dominates Glass to Defeat McNeese State
1/13/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 13, 2007
NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack basketball team got 27 points and 13 rebounds from senior Charity Egenti to lead SFA past McNeese State, 76-63, Saturday night at the William R. Johnson Coliseum. The victory propelled SFA to 11-6 (.647) on the season and 3-1 (.750) in SLC play.
The Ladyjacks started the game 2-for-7 (29 percent) and trailed McNeese State (2-14/0-3 SLC), 5-4, early in the opening half. The Ladyjacks went on a 19-0 run, sparked by sophomore Natashia Green's 17 points and seven rebounds to build a 23-5 lead. SFA also tightened up its defense, holding the Cowgirls scoreless for nearly 6:30. McNeese State was able to cut the lead to seven points late in the first half before SFA rallied to build its lead back to 13, 41-28, at halftime.
The Ladyjacks shot 38 percent from the floor in the first half, while holding McNeese State to a 9-of-28 (.321) performance. SFA continued to dominate the glass outrebounding the Cowgirls by 11 in the first 20 minutes. SFA also forced McNeese State into 12 first-half turnovers, while only being forced into six.
SFA came out in the second half looking for the knockout punch, but 16 second-half turnovers combined with some timely three-point shooting from the Cowgirls' Shonice Sprouse kept them in the game. Sprouse finished the game with a team-high 19 points after knocking down 4-of-8 three-point attempts. But despite Sprouse's attempts, the Ladyjacks would not allow McNeese State to cut the lead below double-digits.
SFA once again cranked up the pressure on defense and continued to crash the boards. The Ladyjacks finished the game forcing McNeese State into 18 turnovers, which SFA converted into 21 points. SFA also pulled down a season-high 59 rebounds, including 27 offensive boards.
The Ladyjacks finished the game 27-for-71 (.380) from the floor, including a 5-of-14 (.357) performance from beyond the arc, while holding McNeese State to a 21-of-61 (.344) outing. SFA had a huge advantage in second chance points outscoring the Cowgirls, 29-10.
Freshman Whitney Cormier finished the game with 13 points and six rebounds, while senior Jennifer Simpson added four points, seven rebounds and a team-high seven assists. Sophomore Jessica Gaines got the start and added six points and three rebounds.
The Ladyjacks return to action Saturday, Jan. 20, when they travel to Huntsville to take on Sam Houston State. The game against the Bearkats is slated to begin at 2 p.m. from the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
-SFA-
