HUNTSVILLE (SID) – The Sam Houston State University women’s basketball team will host rival Stephen F. Austin State Saturday at 2 p.m. at Johnson Coliseum in an important Southland Conference contest.
The Lumberjacks come to Huntsville with an 11-6 record and are 3-1 in Southland Conference action after falling to Lamar last week.
Sam Houston State picked up its first Southland Conference victory of the 2007 season on Thursday, Feb. 11, when the Bearkats defeated McNeese State in Lake Charles 74-57.
Lydia Gonzales scored 25 points in the win at Lake Charles, the highest point total for a Bearkat women’s basketball player in two years. Gonzales has averaged 10.0 points and 5.2 rebounds in her eight contests sincejoining the team in December.
Other top scorers for the Bearkats include Whitney Smith (7.7 points) and Erica Parker (7.2)
“The victory in Lake Charles was a big one for this team,” SHSU head coach Brenda Welch-Nichols said. “We’ve come so close. It’s important for a young team to finally break through and win one. Now, we face another tough opponent, but having a whole week to prepare will help.”
Stephen F. Austin State is lead by 6-3 senior center Charity Egenti who is averaging 16.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Junior guard Nikki Carr is adding 11.2 points per contest for the Lumberjacks.
SFA has dominated the series between the Bearkats and the Lumberjacks, winning in 48 of the pair’s 53 meetings.
The Lumberjacks won 84-45 in Nacogdoches last year.