Ladyjacks Win Final Exhibition
11/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2008
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack basketball team wrapped up the 2008 exhibition schedule Monday evening with a 70-64 victory over a talented St. Mary's team. With the exhibition portion of the schedule complete, the Ladyjacks now turn to their focus to the regular-season opener Friday at Prairie View A&M.
The Ladyjacks stumbled out of the gate shooting only 29 percent from the floor, while the Lady Rattlers connected on 14-of-27 (51.9 percent) shots to build an eight-point first-half lead with less than a minute remaining in the opening half. Sophomore Ebony Alexander knocked down one of her two three pointers right before the intermission to cut the lead to five heading into the locker room.
"I'm very disappointed with how we started the game," said SFA head coach Lee Ann Riley. "We had no intensity to start the game. That obviously has to improve. You have to give credit to St. Mary's. They are a well coached team who showed up to play."
Alexander's three-pointer sparked a 13-4 run that saw the Ladyjacks take their first lead of the second half, 40-39, with 16:49 remaining. The game remained a back-n-forth affair until late in the contest when SFA built a nine-point advantage. The Ladyjacks saw the lead increase to double-digits behind better shooting and attacking the glass.
SFA shot 45 percent from the field in the second half, while outrebounding the Lady Rattlers, 50-34. Although St. Mary's was 25-of-59 (.424) from the floor in the game, SFA held their visitors to 34 percent in the second half. SFA also forced the Lady Rattlers into 20 turnovers, but only converted the miscues into 15 points.
Four Ladyjacks finished the game in double figures. Along with Alexander, sophomores Decreasha Goodner, Jordan Ford and Chantol Drennan each added 10 points, while Goodner led all players with nine rebounds.
"We are a balanced team," said Riley. "That is how we are going to win games. We can't rely on one player, we have to spread the ball around and look for the open shot."
The Ladyjacks tip off the 2008-09 regular season Friday at Prairie View A&M. The game against the Lady Panthers is slated to begin at 6 p.m., and can be heard live on Sunny 94.7 FM.
-SFA-
