Southern Arkansas stops Tougaloo, Wins Third Straight
Posted by Houston Taylor on December 5, 2008 · Leave a Comment
By: Houston Taylor
MONTICELLO, Ark. – Southern Arkansas picked up its third consecutive win with a 67-62 decision over Tougaloo (Miss.) College Friday in the Arkansas-Monticello Mary Jane Gilbert Classic at Steelman Fieldhouse.
The Lady Muleriders (4-5) overcame a 10-point halftime deficit and a 14-point margin in the second half, hitting 7 of 10 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Senior guard Shanaye Davis led all players and matched a career-high with 22 points to lead SAU, hitting 7 of 11 from the floor and 8 of 14 at the free throw line.
The Lady Bulldogs (3-6) held a 53-46 advantage with 7:32 remaining, when Southern Arkansas rattled off eight unanswered points to take their first lead since early in the game, 54-53 with four minutes left. Two free throws from Davis at 2:08 gave the Lady Muleriders the lead for good as they went on to the five-point win. Davis had nine of her 22 points down the stretch.
Junior guard Goldie White put up 16 points for SAU, and she, Davis, and junior forward Shardae Thompson pulled down six rebounds apiece.
A big part of Southern Arkansas’ game was missing as freshman center Kmaria Hobbs didn’t make the trip due to her grandfather passing away.
Tougaloo led all of the first half except for a two-minute span and held a 36-26 advantage at the break.
The Lady Bulldogs out-shot the Lady Muleriders, knocking down 23 of 53 for 43.4 percent to SAU’s 20 of 55 (36.4), and held a 50-29 rebound advantage. But Southern Arkansas made up for it at the free throw line, getting 38 chances and converting 23, whereas Tougaloo got only 16 attempts, hitting eight. The Lady Muleriders also forced 27 turnovers that they turned into 17 points, while committing just eight themselves.
SAU also had to overcome the Lady Bulldogs’ Victoria Jones. The freshman forward posted a double-double with 17 points and grabbed an eye-popping 21 rebounds. Kim Kern added 21 points and Stephanie Jackson finished with 13.
Southern Arkansas continues play in the classic Saturday, squaring off against St. Mary’s (Texas) at noon.
