Natchitoches, LA — Led by Sharonda Bell with 20 points and Chastity Jones with 16, Northwestern State defeated Sam Houston State 78-60 Saturday afternoon as the Demons remained unbeaten in Southland Conference women’s basketball play and in first place in the league.
Jamie Davison led Sam Houston State with a season high of 18 points. Davison hit eight of 12 shots from the field. Ada Wells added 13 points for SHSU.
Rebounding and free throws were the difference in the contest. Northwestern State outrebounded the Bearkats 43 to 26 with 19 of those boards coming under the Demons’ offensive basket. The Demons won the contest by 18 points and 19 came on second chance baskets after offensive rebounds.
Northwestern State hit 19 of 21 free throws while the Bearkats were 19 of 31 at the line.
Northwestern State never trailed and the game was tied only once as the Demons jumped out to a quick 12-4 lead in the first half. Northwestern State led 42-26 at halftime.
Erica Parker added seven points for Sam Houston State. Miriam Garaway scored six. The Bearkats forced the Demons into 18 turnovers while only committing 16.
Sam Houston State drops to 6-9 for the season and 1-3 in Southland Conference action. The Bearkats will play host to Texas-San Antonio at Johnson Coliseum in the next action Thursday, Jan 19 at 7 p.m.
Southland Conference Standings
1. Stephen F. Austin (10-5, 4-0)
2. Texas-Arlington (10-5, 4-0)
3. Northwestern St. (10-5, 3-1)
4. Texas St. (10-4, 2-1)
5. Texas-San Antonio (7-7, 2-1)
6. Louisiana Monroe (10-5, 2-2)
7. Southeastern La. (5-9, 2-3)
8. Sam Houston St. (6-9, 1-3)
9. Lamar (5-8, 1-3)
10. McNeese St. (7-9, 1-4)
11. Nicholls St. (1-14, 0-4)