Stephen F. Austin
Texas-San Antonio
Ladyjacks Outlast Texas-San Antonio
3/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 8, 2008
NACOGDOCHES - Senior Nikki Carr scored 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds as the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks dispensed of Texas-San Antonio, 57-54, Saturday evening at the William R. Johnson Coliseum. The Ladyjacks finish the season 12-16 (.429) overall, and 9-7 (.563) in Southland Conference play. The Ladyjacks locked up the No. 5 seed in the conference tournament next week in Katy, Texas, but they did it before they ever stepped foot on the floor. Northwestern State defeated Central Arkansas in Conway, Ark., to lock up the five seed for SFA.
The game was a tough, emotional contest throughout that saw UTSA gain an eight-point lead only to see the Ladyjacks battle right back to take a seven-point lead just before halftime. SFA took a four-point advantage into the locker room despite shooting only 33 percent in the first half.
The Roadrunners were 10-of-26 (.385) in the opening half, but were hurt by 11 first-half turnovers. SFA cashed the turnovers in for 12 points, and hammered the 'Runners on the glass. The Ladyjacks also outrebounded UTSA by 10 in the opening half.
The Roadrunners eclipsed the SFA lead within the first 90 seconds of the second half. UTSA pushed its lead to five points, 46-41, with 7:42 remaining in the contest. SFA head coach Lee Ann Riley called a timeout, and her troops responded by rattling off five unanswered points to tie the game at 46.
Led by Carr who scored 14 of her team-high 17 points in the second half, SFA outscored the Roadrunners, 14-4, over the next 4:50 to take a five-point lead. The Ladyjacks led by one, 55-54, with only 16 seconds on the clock when junior Natashia Green was sent to the free throw line. Green calmly knocked down both free throws to extend the lead to three, 57-54.
That would turn out to be the final score as UTSA had seven seconds to take one final shot, but Jordan Stark's three was off the mark. The loss dropped UTSA to 20-9 (.690) on the season, and fell to the No. 3 seed with a 12-4 (.750) mark.
Freshman Chantol Drennan scored 11 points in the win. Junior Natashia Green added eight points.
The Ladyjacks will take on fourth-seeded Lamar Wednesday in the opening round of the SLC Championship tournament. The SLC Championship tournament will take place in Katy, Texas, at the Merrell Center.
-SFA-
