Wednesday, January 23
Abilene, Texas
6:00 PM
Stephen F. Austin
at
Abilene Christian
Ladyjacks Travel West to Face Abilene Christian in Pivotal SLC Matchup
1/22/2019 11:33:00 AM | Women's Basketball
SFA set to make third trip out to Abilene in as many seasons
Ladyjacks at Abilene Christian
Moody Coliseum | Abilene, Texas
Wednesday, January 23 | 6:00 p.m.
2018-19 Media Guide | Watch | Listen | Live stats | Notes (PDF)
Moody Coliseum | Abilene, Texas
Wednesday, January 23 | 6:00 p.m.
2018-19 Media Guide | Watch | Listen | Live stats | Notes (PDF)
ABILENE, Texas – If the last contest for SFA women's basketball showed them anything, it's that nothing can be taken for granted in the pursuit of a Southland Conference championship. The Ladyjacks overcame the challenge and stayed perfect in conference play, setting up a big showdown in Abilene on Wednesday with the Wildcats of ACU (12-5, 5-1 Southland).
For SFA (14-3, 5-0 Southland), the matchup with ACU represents the second game of a four-game road slate and its toughest conference matchup yet, as the Wildcats are just one game out of first place and sit at 12-5 on the season. Tip-off for the game is set for 6:00 inside Moody Coliseum, with the game being streamed on acusports.com. Fans can hear a call of the action on FM 94.7 KVLL, where the smooth delivery of Bobby Mauro can be heard.
Seventh-year head coach Julie Goodenough has been better than her name suggests for the Wildcats, leading them to 12 wins on the strength of a well-oiled offense that averages 75.8 points per game on an SLC-best 45.3 percent shooting. A trio of scorers returns for ACU from last season in the form of Dominique Golightly (14.6 ppg), Breanna Wright (12.9 ppg) and Sara Williamson (13.0 ppg), while graduate transfer Lexie Ducat (11.1 ppg/6.7 rpg) gives them a capable inside presence. The Wildcats shoot the three well, averaging about eight per game at a 31 percent clip, and have at times rivaled the Ladyjacks in assists this season, with 17.1 per game.
Continuing to gain votes in the Collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll, the Ladyjacks are knocking on the door of the top 25 with 29 votes, just two spots out of breaking into the list of 25. SFA has strung together a season-high six game winning streak which dates back to the 2018 calendar year and has included a pair of road wins to even their record away from William R. Johnson Coliseum up at 3-3. In the midst of an off game from beyond the arc on Saturday, the 'Jacks were able to do enough to avoid the upset bid from a pesky UIW squad and now sit tied atop the league standings for first place with a 5-0 record in conference play.
The Ladyjacks average 72.5 points per game (75.8 ppg in conference play) on the strength of 44 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent from three-point territory. Seniors Chanell Hayes and Imani Johnson lead the team with 15.2 and 11.4 points per game, respectively, while a handful of players average six-eight points per game to help fill out the scoring. The 'Jacks moved the ball exceptionally well, averaging 18.2 assists per game. SFA's depth has come in handy on numerous occasions this season as well, as players like Heaven Hamling, Aiyana Johnson, BriAnna Mitchell and Aaliyah Johnson have all answered the call in big moments for the Ladyjacks.
The all-time series between the two programs features three SFA wins from back in the 70's which pre-date ACU's ascension to Division I athletics. The series has featured seven matchups since 2013-14, with SFA winning five and ACU, two. The Ladyjacks swept the season series last season thanks to strong free throw shooting in one contest and accurate three-point shooting in the other. In game splayed at Abilene in the series, SFA is 3-0 against the Wildcats.
TIP-OFF TIDBITS
• SFA's current mark of 44 percent shooting from the field is no accident; the Ladyjacks have hit that mark or better in each of their past six games.
• SFA is 22-6 in games played during the month of January under head coach Mark Kellogg.
• With a win over ACU on Wednesday, SFA would start off SLC play with a 6-0 mark for the third straight season.
• The Ladyjacks are 4-1 in games played on Wednesday this season. SFA is 20-3 in Wednesday games during Mark Kellogg's tenure.
• Aiyana Johnson's shooting percentage in conference play has been otherworldly. The freshman forward has knocked down an unreal 89.4 percent (17-19 FG) of her attempts over four games, 25 points higher than the current Southland leader in field goal percentage, Sara Williamson (64.8).
-SFA-
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