Stephen F. Austin
McNeese State
Ladyjacks Fall Short in SLC Opener
1/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Stephen F. Austin women’s basketball team made a strong push late in the second half, but couldn’t overcome a nine-point first half deficit, falling 73-67 to McNeese State on Saturday afternoon in Burton Coliseum.
Senior center Porsha Roberts notched her fifth double-double of the year with a 26-point, 12-rebound effort to lead all players. She grabbed eight boards off the offensive glass, recorded five blocks and shot at an efficient 11-for-17 clip from the field. Roberts had a huge second half, scoring 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting to help the Ladyjacks (7-5, 0-1 SLC) erase a 14-point first half deficit.
The Ladyjacks, who trailed 34-25 at the half, chipped away in the second half until a Tierany Henderson three-pointer cut the McNeese State lead to one, 59-58, with 4:52 to play in the game. SFA wouldn’t be able to go ahead the rest of the way, however, as the Cowgirls (7-5, 1-0 SLC) held on for the 73-67 victory.
Sophomore guard Taylor Ross connected on a floater in the lane with 43 seconds to play, stole the ensuing inbounds pass and made a layup just three seconds later to give SFA life, down 69-67. McNeese State’s Allison Baggett hit a jumper on the next possession and Jayln Johnson hit two free throws down the stretch to ice the game.
Johnson went 14-for-14 from the free throw line on the afternoon as the Cowgirls made 22 of 25 from the charity stripe overall. The Ladyjacks shot a season-low 40.9 percent (9-for-22) from the line in the game, proving costly down the stretch.
Ross ended the game with 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting while Henderson added 11 points and nine rebounds for SFA. Freshman Charisma Alexander tied a season-high with six points.
The Ladyjacks shot the ball well in the second half – firing at a 51.4 clip – and finished the game with a 45.2 percent mark. Despite the respectable average, SFA made just two threes in the game in 16 attempts (12.5 percent) – the worst shooting performance of the year from beyond the arc.
Defensively, SFA limited McNeese to a 36.5 shooting average and forced 17 turnovers. Henderson and Ross each swiped two steals to lead the Ladyjacks.
Johnson led McNeese State with 25 points while preseason All-SLC pick Allison Baggett scored 22 to help the Cowgirls start 1-0 in league play.
The Ladyjacks return to action on Monday, Jan. 5 when they host Southeastern Louisiana inside William R. Johnson Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m. with the men to follow.
-SFA-
