Stephen F. Austin
Auburn
SFA Rally Comes Up Short
12/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 17, 2007
NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack basketball team appeared to be putting up another second half rally that fans have grown accustomed to over the past couple of games, but the No. 14 Auburn Tigers held on for the 12-point decision, 61-49. The setback dropped SFA to 3-6 on the season, while the Tigers improved to 10-1.
Despite struggling offensively early on, scoring only two points in the games first seven minutes, the Ladyjacks were able to hang with one of the top-ranked teams in the country. SFA did not allow Auburn to gain larger than a four-point advantage for the first 14:22 of the game. Although SFA connected on only 4-of-21 (.190) first-half shots, SFA only allowed Auburn to shoot 32 percent from the floor, while forcing the visitors into 13 first-half turnovers.
The biggest story of the half may have been the rebounding. Auburn entered the game with a height advantage over SFA, and utilized the advantage jumping to a 34-12 rebounding edge in the first 20 minutes. Of the Tigers' 34 boards, half came on the offensive end.
Despite the struggles, and the deficit on the glass, SFA went into the locker room trailing by only 11 points, 27-16. The Ladyjacks jumped out of the gate to start the second half forcing two turnovers and knocking down a three-pointer from junior Jessica Gaines. The rally was short lived, as Auburn began to add to its lead.
Led by DeWanna Bonner, who finished the game with 17 points and 17 rebounds, Auburn was able to push its advantage to 20 points with less than five minutes remaining. But the Ladyjacks didn't allow the visitors to leave without putting up one last fight.
Gaines knocked down consecutive free throws to cut the deficit to 18 points and within 60 seconds, SFA had taken a 20-point Tiger lead, and cut it down to 13 points, 57-44 with three minutes remaining. SFA was able to tack on one more point to cut the lead to 12 with 1:33 on the clock.
The Ladyjacks, who connected on 73 percent of their free throws for the night, missed two late which aided the Tigers in cutting off the rally. Auburn tacked on a Tamela McCorvey layup and Jordan Greenleaf knocked down two free throws to close out the scoring.
SFA held Auburn well below its season average from the field, and from beyond the three-point arc, but the Ladyjacks could muster only a 15-of-57 (.263) shooting performance for the game. Auburn also outrebounded SFA, 61-30.
Sophomore Whitney Cormier and senior Nikki Carr led SFA with 15 points and six rebounds each. Carr also dished five assists and recorded seven steals. Gaines added eight points, while freshman Jordan Ford chipped in eight.
The Ladyjacks return to action Thursday when they host Prairie View A&M. The game against the Lady Panthers is slated to begin at 7 p.m from the William R. Johnson Coliseum. It will be the team's final game before they take nine days off for the Christmas break.
- SFA -
