Feb. 18, 2004

Box Score

LAKE CHARLES, La. - Despite a 17-point, 10-rebound effort from sophomore LaToya Mills, the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack basketball team lost to McNeese State, 68-61, in overtime Wednesday night. The Ladyjacks are now 5-17 (.227) overall and 5-6 (.455) in Southland Conference play.

The first half was a back-n-forth contest that saw the Ladyjacks gain a five-point advantage, 30-25, with only 3:23 remaining in the first half due in large part to two three-pointers by sophomore Kirby Killingsworth, who went into halftime with 10 points. The Ladyjacks went into halftime, leading by three, 30-27.

Both teams overcame turnover problems in the first half with strong shooting performances. The Cowgirls were 10-of-19 (.526) in the opening stanza, while SFA shot 11-of-27 (.407). The two teams combined for 33 turnovers in the first half.

But the Ladyjacks struggled offensively in the second half, hitting only four of their first 20 shots. The Cowgirls regained the advantage, building a nine-point lead, 48-39, with 8:35 remaining. McNeese State was led by Tara Abdul-Hadi who finished the game with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

The Ladyjacks, led by freshman Nikki Carr, mounted one last rally. Carr scored six consecutive points, in the final two minutes of the game, to tie the game at 56 and force the team's second overtime in three games.

The Ladyjacks built a three-point advantage to start the overtime but McNeese State, rallied by scoring nine unanswered points, capped by a Regina Spivey three-pointer. The Cowgirls led 63-59 and held on for the seven-point victory.

Carr finished the game with eight points and a game-high six assists. Killingsworth added 12 points for SFA.

The Ladyjacks return to action Saturday when they host Nicholls State. The game against the Lady Colonels will tip-off at 4 p.m., from the William R. Johnson Coliseum.

-SFA-