Stephen F. Austin
George Mason
Late Accuracy by Branch Pulls Ladyjacks over Patriots
11/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
FAIRFAX, VA. – Stephen F. Austin faced the George Mason Patriots on Wednesday night up in the cold northern region of Virginia. Three-point sharp shooter, senior Brentney Branch had a career tying game making six shots from beyond the arch, totaling for 21 point night for her. Behind Branch where three other Ladyjacks in the double digit points. Senior Taylor Ross had 14. Redshirt junior Stevi Parker had 11 points on the night and led the team with nine rebounds. Sophomore Kennedy Harris rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points and two steals. As a team, SFA created nine steals and forced 23 turnovers.
George Mason would outrebound the Ladyjacks 41-27 and shot 50% from the field. The Patriots were led by redshirt senior Kara Wright, who had 19 points tonight.
The first half score stayed within a two-point edge for the entire first 20 minutes. Mason fought for an eight point lead in the first quarter, however the Ladyjacks whittled away at it until it became a two point game again at the half. The Patriots biggest lead of the night came in the third quarter with the Ladyjacks at a 12 point deficit. SFA would fight their way back taking their own five point lead in the fourth and holding onto the advantage for the final twenty seconds.
Hotshots from George Mason started this game pulling a 7-2 early lead on the Ladyjacks before junior Taylor Jackson sank a much needed three-pointer to close the gap to a one point game. A post move from senior Adrienne Lewis would then keep the Ladyjacks in the close game before going into the first media timeout. The Ladyjacks then went on a 10-2 streak to take the lead 21-18 at the end of the first quarter.
The SFA defense held the Patriots to a scoreless five minutes before a foul situation put the Patriots on the free-throw line. The Patriots came back taking a 24-21 lead again in the seventh minute of the second quarter. They then took the momentum with an And-1 situation to pull ahead by eight before the media timeout. The Ladyjacks came out of the timeout with quick back-to-back buckets from Jackson and Parker to close the gap to 32-28. Mason got one more shot off before SFA sunk two three-pointers from Branch and Ross, and force George Mason to call a time-out. The score stayed at 36-34 until Mason pulled off a three in the final minute. Ladyjacks would fight back in the last 30 seconds with an offensive rebound from Parker and the put-back to bring the game to a close two points at the half.
George Mason came out of the locker room with two steals and four quick points, making SFA have to call an early timeout in the third quarter. Jackson got a three-pointer in, but after some miscommunications the Ladyjacks found themselves at an eight point deficit. Free-throws from Parker and a bucket from Harris help bring the score to a four point game at the 4:09 minute mark in the third. The Patriots went on a 9-5 point streak. Points for SFA would be from Parker, Ross, and Riley. SFA then came back with some hard fought hustle to a 58-50 game at the end of the third.
To start the fourth Ross took advantage of an And-1 situation to help try and take the momentum back to SFA. She continued to hustle on the floor and took a charge on the other side of the floor to claim another SFA possession. Mason had the lead, 64-59, going in to the final media time-out. Branch got a three off from the corner, followed by a free-throw from Ross, and the Ladyjacks found themselves in the lead with four minutes to go. Lewis extended the lead from the block to a 68-65 score. Mason tried to come back with five points on the floor, but another three by Branch would keep the SFA lead. The Ladyjacks held on tight to their second lead of the night until the final buzzer, closing it out 77-76.
SFA will wrap up the tour of the north on Friday with their last game of this three-game road streak. The Ladyjacks will take on the Coppin State Friday at 3:00p.m. ET (4:00p.m. CT).
-SFA-
