NACOGDOCHES -- Whitney Smith scored 11 points and Lydia Gonzales added nine as the Sam Houston State women's basketball team fell 73-40 to Stephen F. Austin in a Southland Conference match-up at William Johnson Coliseum Saturday afternoon.

Gonzales gave the Bearkats a shot in the arm, returning after missing last week's Lamar contest with an ankle injury. The junior, who stands as the leading rebounder in Southland women's basketball this year, pulled down six boards comnig off the bench.

Stephen F. Austin picked up the 800th women's basketball victory in school history Saturday. The victory lifts the Lumberjacks to 6-11 for the season and 3-2 in Southland Conference action. The loss was the 11th in a row for Sam Houston, dropping the Bearkats to 1-17 for the season and 0-5 in league games.

Sam Houston State kept the game even early. The score was tied twice, at 4-4 and 10-10. But the Lumberjacks exploded to go on a 26-9 run in the final 12 minutes of the first period to go into the locker room at intermission with a 36-19 lead.

Tough Lumberjack defense limited Sam Houston to its worst shooting day of the season as the Bearkats hit only 21.7 percent from the field, going 13-of-60. Sam Houston was 0-of-16 from three point range. The Bearkats committed 27 turnovers.

SFA shoot 41 percent from the field, 26-of-63, including four three point baskets. The Lumberjacks out-rebounded Sam Houston 53-42.