Stephen F. Austin
New Mexico
Johnson Sets Career-High for Blocks in Lobo Invitational Finale, 74-33
12/20/2018 9:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ALBUQUERQUE, NM. — For the opening quarter of SFA's game against New Mexico on Thursday night, it seemed nothing could go right for the Ladyjacks. Those struggles would last the whole game, however, resulting in a 74-33 loss to the Lobos. A 15-0 Lobo run which spanned the opening nine minutes of play saw the Ladyjacks slip into a hole from which it became too deep to emerge from.
On a night when the Ladyjacks couldn't get any shots to fall, the team finished 11-57 from the field (19.3 percent) and 5-27 (18.5 percent) from beyond the arc.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SFA would open the game with seven straight misses while their counterparts from New Mexico pounded the ball down low for eight quick points while adding another six on the fast break. A midrange jumper from Chanell Hayes with one minute left to play in the first quarter finally broke the spell for SFA and gave the Ladyjacks their first basket of the night and quarter.
Things improved ever so slightly for the Ladyjacks in the second quarter to the tune of seven points in the frame, but thanks to a 20-point quarter of their own the Lobos would lead 35-9 at the half.
THE SECOND HALF
The Ladyjacks fared little better in the second half, scoring 24 points but were unable to must any rhythm as shot after shot rattled out. The Lobos built up heavy advantages in paint scoring (30-12), fast break points (26-6) and points off turnovers (22-8).
TOP PERFORMERS
Heaven Hamling led the Ladyjacks with nine points, while Imani Johnson tallied six points and seven rebounds.
HAYES MAKES ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Chanell Hayes was selected to the five-member All-Tournament Team for her efforts during the two-day event.
UP NEXT
SFA returns to action with a December 29th game at home against Cameron University. SFA is 7-0 at home this season.
OF NOTE
- Despite the loss, SFA is still 17-13 in out-of-state contests played under Mark Kellogg.
- Imani Johnson's three first half blocks gave her a new career high for the stat in an SFA uniform.
- Albuquerque's elevation above sea level of 5312 feet above sea level marks the highest elevation SFA has played at this season.
- Heaven Hamling's three made three-pointers tied her season-high in the category, set in the season opener at #24 Miami.
