Stephen F. Austin
Nicholls
Ladyjacks Surge Past Colonels Late, 68-59
2/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
SFA 68, NICH 59
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin women's basketball team used a double-double from Porsha Roberts and a 46-point second half to topple Nicholls State 68-59 inside William R. Johnson Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. The win is the 12th straight for the Ladyjacks at home and the seventh straight overall.
Roberts led SFA with 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting and brought down 12 rebounds for her 10th double-double of the season. Fifteen of her points came in the second half as the Ladyjacks (19-6, 12-2 SLC) shot 64 percent (16-for-25) from the field in the 46-point second half outburst. Roberts went a perfect 5-for-5 alone in the final 20 minutes.
After a defensive battle in the first half, SFA held a slim 22-21 advantage at the break. Both teams shot 29 percent from the floor in the opening period. The Ladyjacks created separation in the second by establishing a strong post presence, led by Roberts. SFA outscored Nicholls 32-18 in points in the paint, with 24 points coming in the second half.
The Colonels (14-11, 10-4 SLC) got out to a fast start in the second, using a 9-0 run out of the break to earn their first lead of the game and biggest lead of the afternoon at 30-22. The Ladyjacks answered with a 13-2 spurt, capped by a Taylor Ross three-pointer, to regain control 35-32 with 12:38 to play.
SFA would keep the lead for the remainder of the day, leading by as many as 10 (60-50) with 2:28 on the clock.
Tierany Henderson and Ross also finished the contest in double figures, chipping in 15 and 12 points, respectively. Each player went 5-for-10 from the floor, while Ross grabbed seven rebounds and Henderson pulled in five. Henderson made half (2) of the Ladyjacks' four three-pointers in the game in five attempts from deep.
Senior Brittney Matthew and junior Paulletta Powell each scored seven points as all eight Ladyjacks who got into the game found the scoring column.
Charisma Alexander led SFA with four assists, Ross led the defensive pressure with four steals and Roberts and Henderson each recorded two blocks.
The Ladyjacks forced 23 turnovers and outscored the Colonels 20-8 in points off those miscues.
SFA will be back in action next Thursday at 7:00 p.m. against Incarnate Word at home. The Ladyjacks beat the Cardinals 64-47 earlier this year on Feb. 12.
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