Stephen F. Austin
Southern Arkansas
SFA Rolls SAU Behind Branch's Career Night
12/31/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Sophomore guard Brentney Branch scored a career-high 20 points to help the Stephen F. Austin women’s basketball team finish the 2014 calendar year with a 73-50 victory over Southern Arkansas on Wednesday night in William R. Johnson Coliseum. With the win, the Ladyjacks wrap up the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 7-4 record.
Branch knocked down a career-high six three-pointers on 10 attempts and made good on two free throw attempts for SFA on the night. The Houston native contributed in a big way in other aspects of the game as well, recording four rebounds, dishing out five assists and notching a pair of steals off the bench.
She did most of her damage in the second half as all but three of her 20 points came in the final 20 minutes of regulation. With her team leading by just one point, 37-36, with 14:49 to play, Branch drilled back-to-back triples to give the Ladyjacks some breathing room at 43-36. SFA was able to fend off a pesky SAU squad the rest of the way as Branch cashed in on three more threes in the frame.
“Brentney was a big spark off the bench for us tonight,” said head coach Brandon Schneider. “She was able to knock down a couple big threes in the second half to help us extend our lead to double digits and take control of the game. She’s going to be very important for us as we head into conference play.”
The Ladyjacks got off to a fast start in the New Year’s Eve contest, thanks to nine quick points by senior forward Tierany Henderson. She grabbed an offensive rebound and made a layup on the opening possession of the game and hit four of her first five shots to help SFA get out to a 14-6 lead. Henderson finished with 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting and corralled seven rebounds.
Despite falling in an early hole, Southern Arkansas (4-7) hung with SFA for the remainder of the first half and trailed by eight at the break, 34-26.
With Branch’s big second half, the Ladyjacks were able to pull away for the 73-50 win. SFA went 8-for-11 from beyond the arc in the period and ended the game on a 36-14 run.
“You have to give a lot of credit to Southern Arkansas,” Schneider said. “I thought they played extremely hard. We made a few adjustments at halftime and executed a little bit better offensively and defensively in the second half.”
The Ladyjacks limited the Lady Muleriders to 34.7 percent shooting on the night and forced 19 turnovers.
Senior guard Brittney Matthew joined Branch and Henderson in double figures with 11 points on 3-for-6 shooting. She also handed out a season-high seven assists on the evening.
Senior center Porsha Roberts led SFA with three steals and finished the game with eight points and nine boards. Sophomore guard Taylor Ross chipped in seven points and four assists.
The Ladyjacks will begin Southland Conference play on Saturday, Jan. 3 on the road against McNeese State. Tipoff is set for 1:00 p.m.
-SFA-
