SFA to Host No. 5 Texas A&M
12/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 1, 2008
NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack basketball team will look to get back on the winning track after a 12-point setback at Memphis Saturday evening in the championship game of the 24th Annual Piggly Wiggly Classic. The Ladyjacks finished second in the Thanksgiving tournament after beating Jacksonville State, 61-51, in the opening round of the tournament. SFA (4-2) will look to avoid its first two-game skid of the season when they host No. 5 Texas A&M Tuesday evening. The game against the Aggies (6-0) is slated to tip off at 7:30 p.m. from the William R. Johnson Coliseum. The Ladyjacks will then head to Grambling, La., Saturday to face Grambling State. The game against the Lady Tigers is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start at the Assembly Center.
SFA vs. the Aggies: The Ladyjacks own a 13-3 (.813) all-time record against Texas A&M, but the Aggies have won three of the last four meetings, including an 84-53 decision last year in College Station. The Ladyjacks last victory in the series was a 82-73 decision during the 1997-98 season.
SFA vs. the Lady Tigers: The Ladyjacks are 3-1 (.750) all-time against Grambling State. The Ladyjacks have won the last two meetings in the series, including an impressive 95-57 decision in the 2007-08 SFA home opener.
Honoring Gary Blair: Stephen F. Austin will be honoring former Ladyjack head coach, and current Texas A&M head coach, Gary Blair at halftime of Tuesday's game. Coach Blair will be inducted into the Ladyjack Hall of Fame. The four-time SLC Coach of the Year guided SFA to 210 wins, seven consecutive 20-win seasons, six SLC titles and NCAA tournament appearances and six top 25 national rankings, including one top-five appearance. He is still listed as the school's all-time winningest coach in terms of winning percentage.
Cammy-Oh Appearance: Freshman Cambria Smith received her first career start at the point Saturday against Memphis. The 5-5 Garland, Texas, native, scored two points, pulled down three rebounds, dished out three assists and recorded a steal in 12 minutes of action.
Filling Her Role: Senior Natashia Green entered her final campaign as the team's top returning scorer, after a junior season that saw her come off the bench to finish second on the team averaging 9.6 points per game. Green is doing an admirable job as one of Lee Ann Riley's top subs off the bench again this season. She is currently third on the team averaging 8.2 points per game.
All-Tournament Team: The Ladyjacks placed senior Natashia Green and junior Whitney Cormier on the Piggly Wiggly Classic All-Tournament team. Cormier averaged 11.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 3.0 steals and 0.5 blocks per game, while Green came off the bench to average 10.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks per game.
Leading at the Half: Saturday's game at Memphis marked the first time this season that SFA has been unable to record a victory after holding a lead at halftime.
Domino Effect: Sophomore Jackie Domino scored her first points of the season in Friday's win over Jacksonville State. Domino played eight minutes scoring four points and pulling down three rebounds. She was a perfect 2-of-2 from the floor.
Early Freshman of the Year Candidate: It is still very early in the 2008-09 season, but freshman Tammara Marion is making an early bid conference SLC Freshman of the Year honors. Marion has scored in double figures in five of the team's six games and currently leads the Ladyjacks averaging 11.0 points per game. The league's 14th ranked scorer, Marion's mark is currently second-best among all league rookies.
Crashing the Boards: After surrendering 53 rebounds in their victory over Tulsa, Coach Riley made it a focus of her team to work on rebounding. Apparently it worked, because SFA grabbed a season-high 53 rebounds in the win over Jacksonville State.
The Defense Doesn't Rest: The Ladyjacks lead the SLC in forcing their opponents into miscues. SFA has forced its opponents into a league-best 120 turnovers this season.
Up Next ... The Ladyjacks will be back in action Saturday, Dec. 13, when they return home to host New Orleans. The game against the Lady Privateers is slated to begin at 6 p.m. from the William R. Johnson Coliseum.
