Ladyjacks Late Surge Over Cardinals Sends SFA to the SLC Championship Game

Wednesday, March 12

Lake Charles, La.

1:00 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

28-5,16-4Southland

Lamar University

22-8,17-3Southland

SFA

Lamar University

Ladyjacks Late Surge Over Cardinals Sends SFA to the SLC Championship Game

3/12/2025 6:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Amanda Paver, SFA Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

LAKE CHARLES, La.- The Stephen F. Austin women's basketball team (28-5, 16-4 SLC) faced off against the number two seeded Lamar Cardinals (22-8, 17-3 SLC) in the semifinals of the Southland Conference Tournament. SFA and Lamar matched up in a high-stakes rubber match after splitting the regular season.

The first quarter was tightly contested for the first few minutes until SFA scored five points to take a 7-4 lead with 6:18 left. Lamar responded with a layup to cut the lead down to one, but Ashlyn Traylor-Walker answered for the 'Jacks with a three to extend the SFA lead to 10-6 with 4:59 left in the first quarter. Less than a minute later, SFA went on a five-point spurt to take a 15-8 lead with 3:08 left. Both offenses struggled to make a basket as both teams got to the line for some free throws. SFA went into the first quarter break with a 16-11 lead.

Lamar started the second quarter on a 5-2 run to make it a one possession game, 18-16. SFA responded with a 5-1 run that was capped off by a three from Traylor-Walker, 23-17 with 7:50 left. A six-point swing from Lamar tied the game up at 23 with 3:44 left in the first half. Both teams traded blows the rest of the quarter as the first half ended with the score knotted up at 29.

The Cardinals began the third on a scorching 8-2 run to take a 37-31 lead. SFA fought back with a six-point spurt to tie the game up at 37 with 3:59 left in the third. Lamar hit a layup to take the lead, then SFA responded with a layup. One minute later, the Cardinals drained a three to retake the lead, but Avery VanSickle responded with a three of her own before Lamar made a last second layup as they headed into the fourth quarter with a 44-42 lead.

Trinity Moore got the fourth quarter started with a three-pointer for the 'Jacks to retake the lead, 45-44. Both defenses stood tall as neither team made a field goal until a three-point play by Lamar that was then followed up by a three-point play from Moore to help SFA maintain a one-point lead, 48-47. Back-to-back layups by the Cardinals was answered by the 'Jacks in the same fashion before Lamar made a free throw to knot the game up at 52 with 2:19 left. With 1:57 left in the game VanSickle drained a corner three for the go-ahead basket for SFA, 55-52. The 'Jacks iced the game with free throws from Faith Blackstone and Moore to send them to the Southland Conference Championship Game by a final score of 61-53.

Top Players of the Game:

• Trinity Moore: 18 points (led team), seven rebounds (tied team lead), three blocks (led team)
• Avery VanSickle: 11 points, three three-pointers (led team)
• Ashlyn Traylor-Walker: 10 points, seven rebounds (tied team lead), six assists (led team)

SFA will face off against the number one seeded Southeastern Louisiana Lions for the second time this season with a chance to go to the NCAA Tournament on the line tomorrow, Thursday, March 13th at 4:00 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION
Join SFA Women's Basketball at the Southland Conference Tournament in Lake Charles, Louisiana! Tickets including general admission, reserved seats, and courtside seats are available to the public. Click here to purchase tickets for all women's tournament games.

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