Stephen F. Austin
Tulsa
Ladyjacks Defeat Tulsa
11/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 24, 2008
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - In a season of firsts for many on the Stephen F. Austin women's basketball team, the youthful Ladyjacks recorded another Monday night at the William R. Johnson Coliseum. SFA responded to their first setback of the season by defeating Tulsa, 59-55, to improve to 3-1 (.750) on the season.
It was a close back-n-forth affair that saw Tulsa gain an eight-point advantage in the first half, and the Ladyjack hold a nine-point advantage in the second. But other than those to leads, neither of which last very long, the game remained a close battle to the final buzzer.
Tulsa utilized its height advantage to dominate the glass outrebounding SFA 53-33, including 26 offensive rebounds for the visitors. The Golden Hurricane used their height to gain a 30-10 advantage in terms of scoring in the paint. SFA may not have had an answer for Tulsa's size, but the Ladyjacks' speed and defensive intensity proved to be the great equalizer.
With just over seven minutes remaining the Ladyjacks forced Tulsa into turnovers on three consecutive possessions as SFA built its lead to nine points with 5:34 remaining in the contest. Huge factors in SFA's lead were senior Jessica Gaines and sophomore Decreasha Goodner. Both players provided SFA with a spark off the bench. Gaines came in and sank her first shot attempt, a three from the top of the key, and also pulled down an offensive rebound. Goodner added 11 points, on 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc, and also grabbed five rebounds.
While the Ladyjack defense forced Tulsa into 23 turnovers which they converted into 16 points, the Golden Hurricane couldn't account for the Ladyjacks' depth. The Ladyjacks' bench outscored Tulsa's reserves, 34-18.
"Defense is how we have to win games," said SFA head coach Lee Ann Riley. "That is how we play. We can defend and create turnovers, but we have to get better at scoring when we force turnovers. I really thought that our intensity was good. Players were moving around on the floor and they really wanted the ball. Their players were open momentarily, and then all of a sudden here came a white shirt to take the ball away. That is what you love seeing as a coach."
Led by Larissa Williams' 21 points and 14 rebounds, Tulsa made a late charge cutting the SFA lead from eight points down to three with 1:21 remaining, but SFA was able to put the game away at the free throw line.
For of its success in the low post, Tulsa really struggled from the perimeter. The Golden Hurricane shot 34 percent from the floor, and only 2-of-14 (.143) from beyond the arc. SFA finished the game connecting on 20-56 (.357) shots, including a season-high nine three-point field goals.
The Ladyjacks were led by Goodner's 11 points. She was joined in double figures by freshman Tammara Marion's 10 points. Senior Natashia Green added eight points, while sophomores Antoinette Davis and Jordan Ford finished the game with four points and a team-high six rebounds.
The Ladyjacks return to action Friday when they travel to Memphis, Tenn., to compete in the 24th annual Piggly Wiggly Classic. SFA will face Jacksonville State Friday at 8:30 p.m. from the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
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