Stephen F. Austin
23-6,16-4Southland
Sam Houston State
19-10,14-6Southland
Ladyjacks Lock Up Second Seed with 64-50 Win Against Sam Houston State on Senior Day
3/7/2020 8:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball
NACOGDOCHES, TX --Aiyana Johnson collected a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead the SFA women's basketball team past the Sam Houston State Bearkats 64-50 at home Saturday.
SFA improved to 23-6 overall and 16-4 in play with the victory.
In addition to Johnson's double-double, the Ladyjacks were led by Stephanie Visscher, who totaled eight points, five assists and two steals, and by Zya Nugent, who chipped in with 11 points, six rebounds and two steals coming off the bench.
SFA utilized great ball movement in Saturday's game, piling up 15 assists on 18 made field goals. Visscher's five assists were the most for the Ladyjacks.
The SFA defense was a problem in Saturday's game, forcing 23 Sam Houston State turnovers while committing 18. Those takeaways turned into 24 points on the offensive end of the floor. Johnson's three steals led the way individually for the Ladyjacks.
The game also served as the team's senior day, as senior Riley Harvey and Kennedy Harris were recognized for their career contributions to the Ladyjack program. SFA also honored student managers Kacey Carter and Clara Allen.
INSIDE THE BOX
» Aiyana Johnson notched a double-double for the Ladyjacks with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
» The Ladyjacks held the Bearkats to only 32.7% shooting from the field.
» SFA never trailed on the way to a 64-50 victory.
» The Ladyjacks put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 83% of made field goals.
» SFA had a 41-40 edge on the boards in the win.
» The SFA defense forced 23 turnovers.
» The Ladyjacks were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.
» SFA cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
GAME SUMMARY
SFA entered the second quarter tied at 8-8 after a tightly contested first period. SFA did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring four of its eight points close to the basket.
SFA turned the first quarter tie into a 26-17 lead before going on a 7-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Aaliyah Johnson, to increase its lead to 33-17, a score that would hold until halftime. SFA forced six Sam Houston State turnovers in the period and turned them into 13 points.
SFA wasted no time building on its lead, going on a 13-0 run, punctuated by a three from Marissa Banfield, to expand its lead further to 46-17 with 6:51 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Bearkats had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Ladyjacks still entered the fourth quarter with a 52-29 edge. SFA knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 19 total points.
SFA kept its lead intact before going on a 7-0 run to grow the lead to 62-40 with 2:25 to go in the contest. The Bearkats narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Ladyjacks still cruised the rest of the way for the 64-50 win. SFA took advantage of six Sam Houston State turnovers in the quarter, scoring four points off of those takeaways.
NEXT UP
The Ladyjacks are back in action at the Southland Conference Tournament next week in Katy, Texas.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
