First Place Ladyjacks To Face UIW, HBU
2/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
SFA Game Notes (PDF)
Game 26: Stephen F. Austin (19-6, 12-2 SLC) vs. Incarnate Word (5-20, 2-12)
Date/Time:Thursday, Feb. 26 • 7:00 p.m.
Site:William R. Johnson Coliseum
Radio: Q107.7 FM| Live Stats|Live Stream
@SFA_WBB(#AxeEm/#ToughAndTogether)
Game 27: Stephen F. Austin (19-6, 12-2 SLC) at Houston Baptist (11-14, 5-9 SLC)
Date/Time:Saturday, Feb. 28 • 4:00 p.m.
Site:Sharp Gym | Houston, Texas
Radio: Q107.7 FM| Live Stats|Live Stream
@SFA_WBB(#AxeEm/#ToughAndTogether)
Team Information
Stephen F. Austin
Head Coach:Brandon Schneider(Wayland Baptist, 1995)
Career Record:397-136 (17th season) |Record at SFA:91-64 (5th season)
Incarnate Word
Head Coach: Kate Henderson (Texas Lutheran, 2000)
Career Record: 13-39 (2nd season) | Record at UIW: Same
Houston Baptist
Head Coach:Donna Finnie (Foreign College, 1998)
Career Record: 22-31 (2nd season) | Record at HBU: Same
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin women's basketball team will look to remain in first place in the Southland Conference standings this week when it collides with Incarnate Word and Houston Baptist. The Ladyjacks play the Cardinals inside William R. Johnson Coliseum on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. before taking part in their last road game of the regular season at Houston Baptist on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
SFA extended its season-best win streak to seven games with two wins over two of the top three teams in the league last week. The Ladyjacks haulted Lamar's six-game winning streak by beating the Lady Cardinals 71-60 at home on Thursday night. Two of Lamar's three losses on the year have come at the hands of the Ladyjacks as LU currently sits at 12-3 in the SLC - a half game back of SFA.
The Ladyjacks also spoiled an impressive seven-game winning streak by Nicholls State on Saturday by way of a 68-59 home victory. The Colonels hold a 10-4 league record - two games behind SFA with four games to go.
Combined between both contests last week, the Ladyjacks were in control most of the time, owning a lead for 66:50 while trailing for just 6:32. Brittney Matthew, Taylor Ross, Porsha Roberts and Tierany Henderson all scored at least nine points in each matchup to provide a balanced offensive attack for SFA.
The Ladyjacks will put their 12-game home winning streak on the line first against UIW on Thursday. SFA got the better of the Cardinals earlier this year 64-47 on Feb. 12 in San Antonio behind 20 points on 8-for-10 shooting from Roberts.
"We've really just tried to look back at our previous matchup with UIW and find ways in which we can improve for this Thursday's game," said head coach Brandon Schneider. "Offensively, I didn't think we exhibited much patience against the zone. We have to do a better job of getting some paint touches when they do give us some zone looks."
The Ladyjacks currently lead the Cardinals 2-0 in the young all-time series.
SFA's first battle between Houston Baptist was a different story, as the game was close throughout. Roberts' notched her ninth double-double of the season (24 pts, 10 reb) to help her team grind out a 72-67 victory. The Ladyjacks have never lost to HBU, prevailing in all six previous meetings.
"We gave up 40 points in one half to Houston Baptist earlier this year on our home court," said Schneider. "When it comes time to start getting ready for them I'm sure we'll make some points about that and hopefully we'll be a little bit more physically and mentally prepared to sit down and play some defense on Saturday."
SFA's defense has been anchored by the reigning SLC Defensive Player of the Year in Roberts all season long. The senior leads the league with 2.4 blocks per game while teammate and fellow senior Tierany Henderson ranks second with 2.0 rejections a night.
Offensively, Roberts leads the way with 18.6 points per game in league action - second only to Sam Houston State's Shernise Robertson - and averages 9.8 rebounds per game - the league's best mark. Roberts' nearly 64 percent field goal efficiency ranks second in the nation and her 4.7 offensive rebounds per game is good for sixth overall in the NCAA.
The Ladyjacks will wrap up the 2014-15 regular season next week with home games against Northwestern State on Thursday and Sam Houston State on Saturday.
-SFA-
