Stephen F. Austin

March 9, 2007

Box Score

HOUSTON, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack basketball team recorded a season-high, and SLC tournament record, 63 rebounds in their 86-77 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Friday afternoon in the Campbell Center in Houston, Texas. The Ladyjacks improved to 21-10 with the victory and advance to Saturday's championship game.

"We're excited to be here," said SFA head coach Lee Ann Riley. "Our goal coming into the game is to win and our kids really came ready to play. We knew they would come ready to play. They have four talented seniors. Kirbria Lewis put that team on her back early. Early on it was a battle of Kirbria Lewis versus Charity Egenti, but both teams settled down. From that point on we really attacked the glass. I also felt that we played with good intensity. When we play with that kind of intensity and rebound like that you going to be hard to beat."

The game was close early on as the Ladyjacks led by only four points with just over eight minutes remaining in the opening half. SFA turned to its strength in the low post to take control of the game. The Ladyjacks pushed its lead to as many as 10 points by dominating the glass. SFA outrebounded UTA, 38-12, in the first half, including 24 offensive rebounds. The Ladyjacks took a 37-30 lead in the locker room, behind 19 first-half points and 10 first-half rebounds from Egenti.

The Ladyjacks kept attacking the glass in the second half building a 17-point advantage. Junior Nikki Carr continued her sterling tournament play by adding 14 points and 13 rebounds. SFA held its double-digit advantage until the 1:42 mark of the contest when the Islanders starting putting up desperation threes. Corpus Christi was able to cut the lead to seven points with 1:26 on the clock but the Ladyjacks iced the game at the free throw line.

The Islanders shot 40 percent for the game, and were able to hang in the contest by knocking down 12-of-28 (43 percent) three pointers. But SFA was able to force the Islanders into 18 turnovers. The Ladyjacks also forced Texas A&M-Corpus Christi into 26 fouls. The Ladyjacks converted 22-of-36 (61 percent) of its free throws, while the Islanders went to the line six times, converting five attempts.

Senior Charity Egenti scored the first 10 points for SFA and finished the game with 23 points and 12 rebounds. It marked Egenti's 12th double-double of the season. Classmate Evelyn Edwards added 23 points and nine rebounds, while junior Nikki Carr continued her sterling tournament play with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Senior Natalie Kizzee came off the bench to add seven points and eight rebounds.

The Islanders were led by senior guard Kirbria Lewis who fouled out of the game with 21 points and seven assists. Nicole Duncan added 17 points for the Islanders.

The Ladyjacks return to action Saturday in the SLC Championship game. The title game is set to tip off at 2 p.m. against the winner of the No. 1 Texas-Arlington/No. 5 Texas-San Antonio semifinal game. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest.

-SFA-