[December 18, 2007]

Contact: Houston Taylor

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Pittsburg State (Kan.) completed a season sweep of Southern Arkansas Tuesday, claiming a 74-57 victory in the Henderson State Classic at the Duke Wells Center. The Gorillas earlier handed the Lady Muleriders a 69-60 setback at the Arkansas-Monticello Classic in November.

SAU was never really in this one and after holding an early 8-5 lead, watched as PSU stormed back for a 15-point first half margin before settling for a 34-21 lead at the break. It was more of the same in the second as Pittsburg State held a 65-44 advantage at 6:53, and eventually took their largest lead of the game at 69-46 with 5:12 remaining before cruising to the win.

Southern Arkansas, and all-conference guard Goldie White, couldn’t get on track, as the Gorillas out-played them in nearly all phases of the game. PSU shut White down as she finished just one of 17 from the field and scored a career-low four points. She misfired on six three-pointers and was two of four at the free-throw line. Though off offensively, White pulled down six rebounds, tossed out three assists, and had four steals.

Pittsburg State was 31 of 64 (48.4 percent) from the field to the Lady Muleriders’ 21 of 73 (28.8), including seven of 23 (30.4) treys to three of 17 (17.6). SAU had just nine team fouls, sending the Gorillas to the line only eight times where they converted on five. Southern Arkansas hit 12 of 23 (52.2) from the stripe.

The Lady Muleriders did take care of the ball, committing just 10 turnovers, while forcing 22 PSU miscues, but were pounded on the boards as Pittsburg State hauled down 54 rebounds to SAU’s 38.

The Gorillas (6-3) got game-highs of 18 and 15 points from Liz Witte and Linda Igbinigie, respectively. Samantha Troutman matched a game-high 10 rebounds, and DePrice Taylor had six assists.

Calisha Kirk led Southern Arkansas (4-7) with 13 points, Kayla Jones chipped in 12, and Laura Shuggs added 10 and shared game-high honors with 10 boards, for the first double-double of her career.

The loss concluded nine consecutive games on the road covering 31 days for the Lady Muleriders. SAU hasn’t played at home since a 55-50 loss to then 12th-ranked Texas A&M-Commerce on November 17. That ends as Southern Arkansas, after a 10-day holiday break, finally comes home December 28 to host Texas Woman’s in a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.