By: Houston Taylor
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Freshman center Kmaria Hobbs posted career and game-highs of 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead Southern Arkansas (3-5) past Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) (1-6) by a 74-63 decision Monday in the Henderson State Classic at the Duke Wells Center.
With the Lady Muleriders trailing 49-48 with 9:14 left, Hobbs’ jumper at 8:46 put SAU ahead for good as she went on to score 12 of her 27 points in the deciding minutes. The Hornets stayed close and were within 65-63 at 2:39, but Southern Arkansas used a 9-0 run to close out the game and get the win. Having beaten Montevallo in the classic on Sunday, it was the Lady Muleriders’ first back-to-back wins since defeating Albany State and LeMoyne-Owen at the Delta State Classic November 23 and 24 of last year.
The game was tight throughout with neither team leading by more than four points in the first half until freshman guard Shanece Black’s three-pointer gave SAU a 20-15 lead at 7:23. Senior guard Shanaye Davis pushed that to 10-point margins twice, the last 29-19, coming at 3:37. Harris-Stowe then used a 9-2 run to close the half, trailing 31-28 at the break.
Hobbs now has three double-doubles on the season and has scored in double figures in all eight of Southern Arkansas’ games. She was 11 of 16 from the floor, hit 5 of 7 free throws, and added an assist, blocked shot and two steals in 35 minutes of play.
Junior guards Goldie White and Lynzi Williams chipped in 12 points apiece, with White pulling down seven rebounds and Williams grabbing five steals.
The Lady Muleriders shot just 29 of 80 from the floor for 36.3 percent, including only 3 of 13 (23.1) from beyond the three-point line. They were 13 of 19 (68.4) at the foul stripe. The Hornets hit at a 44.0 percent rate, but attempted only 50 shots, hitting 22. They were 4 of 18 (22.2) on treys and 15 of 19 (78.9) on free throws.
SAU held a 47-38 rebound advantage and forced 20 turnovers that they converted into 24 points, while committing 10 themselves.
Sheri Jones posted 25 points and nine rebounds for Harris-Stowe, and Keyuana Bradshaw pulled down 10 boards.
Southern Arkansas plays its fourth and fifth consecutive games on the road this weekend in the Arkansas-Monticello Mary Jane Gilbert Classic. They face Tougaloo (Miss.) College on Friday at 5:30 p.m., before squaring off against St. Mary’s (Texas) on Saturday at noon.
