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    Ladyjacks Win Exhibition Opener
    Senior Britany Vinson leads the way with 14 points
    Senior Britany Vinson
    Senior Britany Vinson

    Nov. 11, 2005

    NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack basketball team outscored Texas A&M-Commerce by 12 points in the second half of their exhibition game Friday to defeat the Lions, 70-54. Senior Britany Vinson led SFA with 14 points.

    The Ladyjacks seemed to be in control of the game late in the first half leading by nine, 32-23. But SFA couldn't shake the pesky Lions due to 17 first half turnovers. Commerce closed the half on a 7-2 run to pull within four points, 34-30, heading into intermission.

    After shooting nearly 49 percent in the first half, the Ladyjacks cooled off offensively in the second going 13-for-33 (39 percent). The Lions took advantage and hung close with SFA for the first 6:12 of the second half, trailing by five only points, 40-35. The Ladyjacks then turned up the heat defensively to put away Commerce.

    The Ladyjacks forced Commerce into 34 turnovers on the night, sparking a 14-0 run to build a 19-point advantage, 54-35. Junior transfer Charity Egenti scored nine of her 11 points in the Ladyjacks' second-half surge. The Lions were never able to mount a serious threat after that.

    Sophomore point guard Nikki Carr scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds. Senior Kendria Smith added eight points and pulled down seven boards in the victorious effort. Classmate LaToya Mills scored four points and pulled down a team-high eight rebounds in her first action since going down with an injury last February.

    SFA held the Lions to a 17-of-54 (32 percent) performance from the floor and forced the visitors from northeast Texas into 34 miscues. Kanani Marshal led the Lions with 14 points on 5-of-15 (.333) shooting.

    The Ladyjacks tip off the season Friday Nov. 18, when they travel to Denton, Texas to face North Texas at 5 p.m.

    -SFA-