No. 1 SFA Outlasts No. 5 UCA in Semifinal Round, 55-47; Championship Bound

Saturday, March 13

Katy, Texas

1:00 PM

Stephen F. Austin

23-2,14-0Southland

University of Central Arkansas

13-14,9-7Southland

Central Ark.

SFA

No. 1 SFA Outlasts No. 5 UCA in Semifinal Round, 55-47; Championship Bound

3/13/2021 4:38:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Chelsea Groves | SFA Athletics

KATY, Texas -- The No. 1 seeded Ladyjacks looked like the top squad in the Southland Conference Semifinal round, showcasing its ability to break down a tenacious Sugar Bear zone to generate consistent scoring options in the first half to lead 34-16 after the first 20 minutes. But more importantly, the Ladyjacks were able to make big plays when the Sugar Bears caught fire to climb back into the ballgame with the lead cut to three in the final stages of the contest.

Statement Game Trend
No. 5 UCA came out of the locker room to outscore the Ladyjacks 31-21 in the second half after SFA stamped the first half with a 17-0 run at 4:05 to round out the frame. SFA's second quarter performance ended up being critical in this win, outscoring No. 5 UCA 19-4 after the Ladyjacks only led by three at the end of the first quarter. Alyssa Mayfield paced SFA with 14 points in the first half (6-9 FG), as she led all scorers with 16 points on the outing.

The Timeline: Hot Handed, Cold Blooded Ladyjacks
- The Ladyjacks led 45-31 heading into the fourth quarter, soon for the lead to be cut to single-digits at 6:23 after a pair of free throws from UCA's Terri Crawford (SFA, 45-36).

- Crawford converted on another pair of free throws to slim the lead to three with at 2:14 to go, but Stephanie Visscher knocked down a huge driving layup to put the cushion back up to five at 1:58 (SFA, 50-45).

- Zya Nugent hit a triple from the top of the key with 20 seconds remaining in the game to seal the deal (SFA, 53-47).

Leaders
Nugent complemented Mayfield's performance to chip in nine points, plus seven from Stephanie Visscher and Aiyana Johnson. Every Ladyjack to step on the floor today scored at least two points. SFA shot 37 percent from the field for the game to UCA's 44.2 percent.

Up Next
SFA will play in the Southland Conference Championship tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. on CBS Sports Network against the winner of Southeastern Louisiana/Sam Houston.