NACOGDOCHES, Texas- The Stephen F. Austin women’s basketball (26-5, 16-4 SLC) celebrated senior day at home against the Nicholls Colonels (16-13, 9-11 SLC).
SFA started off where they left off Thursday night with a quick layup from senior, Faith Blackstone and a three-pointer from Harmanie Dominguez, 5-0. After a made free throw, the ‘Jacks went on a 6-0 run, 11-1 with 4:42 left in the first. Nicholls made a layup before SFA continued their blazing pace with an 8-0 run to finish the first quarter with a 19-3 lead.
Both teams traded baskets early on as Nicholls slowly started to chip away at the SFA lead, 25-13 with 5:52 left in the second quarter. Four free throws from Blackstone, a layup from Cha Gardner, a three-pointer from Key Roseby and a layup from Dominguez pushed the ‘Jacks lead to 36-13. The Colonels knocked down a three-pointer with 37 seconds left in the half and the Ladyjacks went into the locker room with a commanding 36-16 lead.
The Colonels and the Ladyjacks traded blows early in the third quarter until SFA went on an 8-0 run to extend their lead to 48-25 with 5:25 left. Nicholls had several four-point spurts to chip away at the SFA lead and ended the third with a layup to cut the deficit down to 56-41.
SFA did not take their foot off the gas as they began the fourth with a 9-0 run to extend their lead to 64-41. Nicholls answered back with a five-point spurt of their own, 64-46 with 6:48 left in the game. A minute later the Colonels had another 5-0 run, 67-54 with 4:25 left. The Ladyjacks finished the game on a 12-2 run and pulled away with a 79-56 win for their 12th straight win.
After the game, SFA honored three seniors and their graduate assistant for senior day. Thank you to Faith Blackstone, Trinity Moore, Ituau Tuisaula, and Bo Butler for all your contributions to the Ladyjack basketball program.
The Ladyjacks have earned the No. 3 seed in the Southland Conference Tournament and will await the winner of UTRGV/Nicholls on Tuesday, March 11th at 1:30 p.m.
Top Players of the Match:
• Faith Blackstone: 17 points (led team), five assists (tied team lead), 11-13 free throws
• Harmanie Dominguez: 14 points, four rebounds, six steals (led team)
• Ashlyn Traylor-Walker: 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists (tied team lead)
• Trinity Moore: 12 points, 11 rebounds (led team), fifth double-double (second consecutive)
By: Amanda Paver, SFA Assistant Director for Strategic Communications