[February 12, 2007]

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Stepping out of Gulf South Conference play, Southern Arkansas University used the free throw line to claim a 67-56 win over Dixie State College Monday at the Duke Wells Center on the Henderson State University campus.

It was the first-ever meeting between the two teams, with the Rebels stepping into the Pacific West Conference and NCAA Division II play this season. DSC, out of St. George, Utah, begins conference play next year.

The Lady Muleriders won it at the charity stripe, knocking down 21 of 24 freebies (87.5 percent), while Dixie State saw the line just 13 times, converting on six (46.2). SAU hit 10 of 11 (90.9) from the stripe in building a 30-26 first half lead, as the Rebels got to the line just four times in the first frame, converting on two.

DSC scored six unanswered points as the second stanza started to take a 32-30 lead on Tiara Bowman’s lay-up at 16:50. Seconds later, Cassandra Henry’s two free throws gave the lead back to Southern Arkansas, which they held, until Bowman’s three-pointer and a lay-up from Jessica Carver provided a 43-40 advantage for Dixie State at 9:17. The game saw its eighth tie at 5:57 when Carver, who scored a game-high 21 points, dropped in a lay-up, 48 all. Brooke Grigsby’s jumper then ignited a 13-3 Lady Mulerider run for a 61-51 lead at 1:24 which deflated the Rebels. Grigsby, who scored six in that span, finished with 19 points on the night. SAU eventually led by 14 with 27 ticks left, before settling for the final margin.

DSC jumped out to a 4-0 lead, and it was four minutes into the game before Southern Arkansas got on the board. Goldie White provided that when she hit the second of two free throws which sparked a string of 17 unanswered points over the next four minutes by the Lady Muleriders. Then it was Dixie State’s turn as they went on a 16-4 spree to pull within one, 21-20, with 4:53 left, and eventually tied it at 24-24 at 3:12. A lay-up and a perfect four of four at the line the rest of the way gave SAU the margin at the break.

Southern Arkansas wasn’t spectacular from the field, only 21 of 53 for 39.6 percent, and just four of 14 (28.6) from downtown, but were saved at the line. The Rebels were decent shooting-wise (23-53, 43.4 percent), particularly in the second half (12-23, 52.2), but couldn’t overcome the free throws. They finished four of 13 (30.8) from downtown.

Grigsby was four of four from the stripe, aiding in her team-high 19 points. She added three rebounds, an assist, a blocked shot, and a steal in 36 minutes of action. Senior center Kim Davis added 14 points, but saw her nine-game streak of double-doubles come to an end as she pulled down just five rebounds. Davis was also perfect on four free throw attempts. Henry provided the double for the Lady Muleriders, scoring 11, hitting seven of eight from the line, and grabbing 11 boards. White finished with 13 points, four of six on free throws, dished out five assists, and had three steals. Kayla Jones knocked down the other two freebies.

Davis’ 14 points pushed her to fifth on the all-time SAU scoring list, moving her past Stacy Stockton, who finished with 1,213 points from 1999-2003. Davis now has 1,216 in her career. She would need 154 points in her remaining games, a minimum of five, to move to fourth.

Carver bagged a double for DSC, hauling in 10 rebounds to go with her 21 points. She also blocked two shots and had three steals. Bowman chipped in 12 points.

Southern Arkansas held a 36-31 rebound edge, and took advantage by outscoring Dixie State 22-9 on second-chance points.

The Rebels will extend their Arkansas visit to face Henderson State on Tuesday.

The Lady Muleriders get back to conference play Thursday, hosting Delta State in a key GSC game at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.

#SAU#