The Stephen F. Austin women’s basketball team (21-5, 11-4 SLC) traveled north to East Texas A&M (6-17, 3-11 SLC) looking to sweep the season series and clinch a spot in the Southland Conference Tournament.
The Lions jumped out to a 4-0 lead but the ‘Jacks responded with a three-point run of their own, 4-3 with 4:58 left in the first. Both teams traded blows, but ETAMU kept their lead until a layup from Cha Gardner pushed the Ladyjacks ahead, 11-10 with 2:00 left. ETAMU scored a jumper and ended the first quarter with a slim, 12-11 lead.
SFA started out the second quarter on a commanding 12-2 run to take a 23-14 lead with 4:53 left in the first half. ETAMU responded with a seven-point spurt of their own to cut the deficit down to two, 23-21 with 2:22 left. The ‘Jacks finished the first half on a 7-3 run and took a 30-24 lead into the locker room.
Once again, the ‘Jacks started the third quarter on a 16-4 run to extend their lead to 46-28 with 6:12 left in the third. With 4:32 left in the quarter, SFA went on another 7-0 spurt, 53-32. Both teams traded baskets for the rest of the quarter but the ‘Jacks went into the final quarter with a 55-36 lead.
ETAMU began the fourth on a 7-2 run, 57-44 with 7:46 left in the game. However, SFA responded with an 8-3 spurt to extend their lead, 65-47 with 4:51 left. Both teams traded blows the rest of the game, but the Ladyjack offense was too much for the Lions to handle as they secured the 71-55 victory and a spot in the Southland Conference Tournament.
Top Players of the Match:
• Faith Blackstone: 20 points (led team), 11 rebounds (led team), fourth double-double
• Cha Gardner: 12 points, eight rebounds, three blocks (led team & career-high)
• Key Roseby: 12 points, four rebounds, two steals
• Trinity Moore: nine points, eight rebounds
TICKET INFORMATION
Join SFA Women’s Basketball at William R. Johnson this winter! Season tickets and single game tickets are on sale now. Fans can visit SFAtickets.com for more information.
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Amanda Paver, SFA Assistant Director for Strategic Communications