Ladyjacks Take Down Lamar for 11th Straight Win, Snap Cardinal’s Win Streak, 70-58

Saturday, February 9

Nacogdoches, Texas

2:00 PM

Stephen F. Austin

Lamar

Lamar University

SFA

Ladyjacks Take Down Lamar for 11th Straight Win, Snap Cardinal’s Win Streak, 70-58

2/9/2019 4:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

SFA wins battle of first-place teams to take top spot in Southland Conference

By: Kevin Meyer | Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- The Stephen F. Austin women's basketball team used a sterling defensive effort and timely scoring to snap Lamar's 12-game win streak and seize first place in the Southland Conference standings outright on Saturday. SFA improved to 19-3 overall and 10-0 in league play with the win, which was the 'Jacks' 11^thstraight victory and 13^that home this season.

TOP SFA PERFORMERS
• Chanell Hayes led all scorers with a career-high 30 points on the day, her seventh 20+ point effort of the campaign and first 30-point game of her career.
• Freshman Stephanie Visscher chipped in 11 points, including a huge three-ball late in the contest.
• Imani Johnson scored eight points, hauled down six rebounds and dished out six assists in the game.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Beginning with a Stephanie Visscher trey, the Ladyjacks jumped out to an early 13-7 lead thanks to an 8-0 run. That run was capped by a pair of free throws by Visscher. and included six early points off turnovers for SFA. Lamar responded in kind with a 12-4 run to retake the lead, 19-17 at the end of the first quarter.

The Ladyjacks would open the second quarter on a short run and would take the lead thanks to a 13-3 run that eclipsed four minutes of game action. Outscoring Lamar 17-10 in the second quarter gave the Ladyjacks a 34-29 lead heading into the halftime break.

Tightening up in the third quarter, the Ladyjacks held Lamar scoreless for over four minutes of action, extending the lead up to 42-34 with an 8-0 run over that span. Coming out of the media timeout with a layup by Alyssa Mayfield, the Ladyjacks went on a 7-3 run over the remaining four minutes of play, taking a 49-37 lead heading into the fourth quarter of play.

In the fourth quarter, the Ladyjacks matched the Cardinals basket for basket, and got the job done at the charity stripe when Lamar's high pressure resulted in fouls. Lamar would close the gap to as little as four points with 2:01 remaining in the game, but Visscher's three quickly shut the door on the Cardinals, as they would get no closer than the seven-point margin in the waning minutes of play.

OF NOTE
• SFA improves to 23-5 in February games played under Mark Kellogg.
• Hayes's 30 points marked a new career-high for the senior, who also attempted a career-high 20 shots and converted on 10. Her previous high for points was 27, set earlier this season against Texas Tech.
• The Ladyjacks connected on 21-45 (46.7 percent) from the field and 7-20 (35 percent) from beyond the arc. The Cardinals made just 33.3 percent (20-30) from the field and 5-28 (17.9) from range.
• The Ladyjacks held LU star Chastadie Barrs to a season-low one point in the contest on 0-6 shooting form the field. Barrs also had five turnovers.
• SFA now sits in sole possession of first atop the Southland Conference standings, and snaps the fifth longest win streak in the country.
• Saturday's contest also facilitated a reunion of Ladyjack Basketball alumni, as more than 30 former Ladyjacks were recognized at halftime for their contributions.

UP NEXT
The Ladyjacks travel to Lake Charles, La. For a midweek matchup with the Cowgirls of McNeese, followed by a rivalry rematch on Saturday with Northwestern State.

-SFA-