Photo GalleryHOUSTON – Seniors
Tayler Jefferson and
Erin McGarrachan combined for 30 points, nine rebounds, three assists, four steals, and one block, but visiting Stephen F. Austin spoiled "Senior Day" for the Huskies, 69-57, Saturday afternoon from Sharp Gym.
Jefferson led HBU (11-16 overall, 5-11 SLC) with a game-high 18 points, on 7-of-14 shooting and 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. She also had three assists and two steals. McGarrachan chipped in with 12 points as she was tied for the game high of eight rebounds. She ended her stat line with two steals and one block.
Heidi Sihvola scored seven points and had four assists and four steals. HBU shot 39 percent from the floor in the game.
SFA (21-6, 14-2) won its ninth-straight game, led by Taylor Ross' 17 points. Porsha Roberts and Brittney Matthew chipped in with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Tierany Henderson joined McGarrachan with the game high of eight rebounds. The Ladyjacks shot 48 percent from the floor in the contest.
Jefferson started the scoring with a bang as she hit a triple 15 seconds in, but SFA rattled off seven-straight points to take a four-point lead with 17:40 remaining in the opening half.
HBU came back to within one, 11-10, but the Ladyjacks scored five unanswered to take a six-point lead, 16-10, with 13:33 to go.
A Jefferson three-pointer culminated an 8-2 Huskies run to tie the contest at 18-all with just under 12 minutes to go.
With the third tie of the ballgame four minutes later, HBU scored six unanswered to take a 30-24 lead with 5:26 remaining. Arthur hit a basket and a free throw and Jefferson hit her third 3-pointer of the contest.
SFA came within one on a Brentney Branch jumper, but HBU pushed its lead to six, following a three-pointer by Sihvola just before the shot clock expired. Ross hit a jumper at the buzzer to bring SFA within four at the break, 38-34.
Jefferson led all scorers for 14 first-half points, while Ross had 10 for the Ladyjacks. HBU shot 54 percent in the first half compared to 45 percent for SFA.
SFA used an early 6-2 run to tie the game at 40-all, following an offensive rebound and put-back by Roberts. The Ladyjacks proceeded to outscore the Huskies, 9-2, to lead by seven with 14:11 remaining in regulation.
HBU came back with an 8-0 run to take a 50-49 lead with just under 11 minutes remaining. Jefferson's steal and fast-break layup ended the run. The Ladyjacks came right back as Matthew's three-point play gave the visitors a two-point advantage, 52-50, with 10:35 to go in the game.
A jumper by McGarrachan at the 4:49-mark gave the Huskies their first basket six minutes later, as SFA led by four, 58-54. But SFA closed the final minutes outscoring HBU, 11-3.
McGarrachan led HBU with eight second-half points, while Roberts led the Ladyjacks with 12 points. HBU shot 24 percent from the floor compared to 52 percent for SFA.
HBU plays at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi next Thursday, March 5 at 5 pm. Sam Houston State lost to the Islanders earlier today, so HBU and SHSU remain tied for the final playoff spot.
