Stephen F. Austin
Northwestern State
SFA Rally Falls Short
1/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 28, 2009
NATCHITOCHES, La. - The Northwestern State Lady Demons jumped out to a 19-point lead, and were able to hold off Stephen F. Austin Wednesday evening at Prather Coliseum in Natchitoches, La. Northwestern State defeated SFA, 76-69, dropping the Ladyjacks to 8-10 on the season, 3-3 in Southland Conference play.
Lady Demons started the game hitting on 10-of-14, and built a 23-4 lead, while SFA sputtered to a 2-of-12 start and turned the basketball over eight times. But after two SFA timeouts, the Ladyjacks settled down and slowly began to chip away at the Northwestern State lead.
SFA scored 11 straight, including nine of those points coming from the free throw line, to cut the lead to nine. SFA's strength at the free throw line in the first half, 12-of-15 (80 percent), helped keep SFA in the game until the offense could get warmed up.
The Ladyjacks cut the lead down to three points behind sophomore Whitney Cormier's eight first half points and five rebounds. But the Lady Demons closed the half on a flurry to take a 10-point lead into the intermission, 40-30.
SFA finished the half 9-of-31 (.290) from the floor, while the Lady Demons cooled off, but still went into the locker room shooting 50 percent (14-of-28). SFA took a small advantage into the locker room on the glass, 23-19.
Lady Demons opened the second half on a 7-3 run to push lead back to 14 points. But the Ladyjacks rallied to cut the lead down to one point, 66-65, with 2:36 remaining. SFA had the ball with an opportunity to take their first lead but couldn't convert, and the Lady Demons never surrendered the lead.
SFA had five players finish in double figures led by Cormier's 14 points and 13 rebounds. Sophomore Ebony Alexander added 14 points and five rebounds.
The Ladyjacks return to action Saturday when they host McNeese State at 5 p.m. in the William R. Johnson Coliseum. The game is a scheduled doubleheader with the SFA men, and will serve as the annual Take a Kid to the Game promotion.
-SFA-
