Ladyjacks Travel to Dallas for Showdown with SMU
11/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 27, 2007
NACOGDOCHES - After a weekend that had two games scheduled at the UTEP Thanksgiving Classic, but only one that was actually played, the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack basketball team (1-3/.250) will look to return to their normal routine this week. The Ladyjacks are back on the court Wednesday when they travel to Dallas, Texas, to square off with SMU. The Mustangs enter the game with a 4-1 (.800) record, including a four-game win streak, after dropping their season opener to nationally ranked Texas A&M. The game against the Mustangs is slated to begin at 7 p.m. from Moody Coliseum.
The Ladyjacks are 8-3 (.727) all-time against SMU, but have dropped three of the last four meetings. The Ladyjacks' lone win during that stretch was a 79-72 decision during the 1998-99 season. SFA won the first seven meetings in the series, which dates back to the 1982-83 season. The Ladyjacks dropped an 84-75 decision to the Mustangs last season in the Coliseum.
The Ladyjacks recorded the program's 795th all-time victory with their 95-57 bashing of Grambling State. The Ladyjacks are now only five wins shy of No. 800. That victory would put SFA in some very elite company. Only five other NCAA Division I schools have recorded at least 800 wins. The list includes Tennessee, Louisiana Tech, Old Dominion, Texas and James Madison. There is one other school that is on pace to record it's 800th victory this season. Tennessee Tech currently has 784 all-time wins.
Despite facing a height disadvantage in a couple of their early non-conference games, the Ladyjacks haven't been shy about battling for rebounds. The Ladyjacks are currently averaging 45.0 rebounds per game in their first four games of the season, which puts them ahead of their league leading pace from last year. Despite the loss of the league's leading rebounder from last season, every member of the 2007-08 team is picking up the slack. SFA has four players averaging at least five rebounds per game, and three others that averaging at least four per game. Freshman Jordan Ford leads the Ladyjacks averaging 6.5 rebounds per game.
First-year guard Decreasha Goodner has jumped out to a quick start to the 2007-08 season. Goodner scored 21 points in each of her first two games, and continues to impress. She is currently leading the team averaging 13.8 points per game, while classmate Jordan Ford leads the team pulling down 6.5 rebounds per game.
Goodner is not only getting the job done offensively, she is also getting the job done on the glass. Goodner pulled down a career-high seven rebounds Friday against Nevada.
The Ladyjacks have not allowed an opponent to shoot 40 percent from the floor this season. In fact, the Ladyjacks have allowed only 85 field goals in their first four games, which is the second-lowest total in the Southland Conference.
SFA will open the month of December in Ruston, La., with a battle against Louisiana Tech. The game against the Lady Techsters is slated to begin at 7 p.m. from the Thomas Assembly Center.
