What appeared to be a manageable game for the Sam Houston State University women’s basketball team in the first half, quickly snowballed into a 72-52 blowout at the hands of Southland Conference power Texas-San Antonio (15-11, 10-5 SLC) last Saturday. The Bearkats are now in a three-way tie for the eighth and final SLC tournament playoff spot.
Three Roadrunners scored in double digits, including a game-high 19 by Terrie Davis, to put SHSU (9-16, 4-10 SLC) almost entirely out of postseason contention. Saturday afternoon’s game remained close throughout the first half. Though SHSU forced multiple ties in the first half and took two leads, the team could never take hold of the game.
SHSU’s last chance to take the game would be at the 2:24 mark at the end of the first half. After the teams exchanged leads for a few possessions, Jamie Davison hit back-to-back jumpers to tie the game at 21 with about a minute and a half left. Free throws by Katie Sandefur and Davis put UT-SA back on top for good, and a jump shot by Nicole Dunson would cap the half and put the Roadrunners up 27-21.
Halfway through the second half, the Roadrunners had sealed the lead to 20 points and cruised to victory. One bright spot for SHSU was the bench, which outscored UT-SA’s 27-19. On the other hand, the Bearkats shot a dismal 36 percent, had 16 turnovers and were almost doubled-up in the paint, scoring only 16 to the Roadrunners’ 30.
Ratysha Alexander accrued the best numbers for SHSU. Alexander, a sophomore, net herself team-highs with 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Davis led UT-SA with 19 points on 5-9 three-point shooting.
SHSU has two games left in the regular season and must win both for a playoff berth. Thursday night, the Kats will face Texas-Arlington (18-7, 12-2 SLC) at Johnson Coliseum.