Grambling takes on SHSU women Monday at Johnson
12/5/2010 7:39:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Bearkat women have rolled up a 5-3 record, the program's best start since the 1996-97 season. A victory Monday would mark the first time the Sam Houston women's team has posted six victories in its first nine games since 1993-94.
Sam Houston is coming off a pair of road losses to Big 12 programs, falling by only 13 points at Texas Tech and dropping a 94-45 decision to No. 11 Oklahoma last week.
The GSU Tigers bring a three-game winning streak and a 3-4 overall record into Johnson. Monday's contest will be Grambling's eighth straight road game. The Tigers have not yet played at home, losing their first four games to Kansas State, Memphis, Oklahoma State and Marist.
But, in the past two weeks, the Tigers have defeated Xavier 47-43, Louisiana-Monroe 66-61 and Nicholls 61-44.
"We're 2-0 at home and we've got two more home games this week before the Christmas break," Sam Houston head coach Brenda Nichols said. "The girls are excited about the opportunity to play before the home fans again. We ran into a buzz saw up at Oklahoma last week, but we learned some things from the experience. Our youngsters are working to get better every game and be ready for the start of Southland Conference play next month."
Three Bearkats are averaging in double figures with sophomores Britni Martin scoring 17.5 points per game and Chanice Smith and Sequeena Thomas adding 12.0 and 13.5 points, respectively. Jaleesa Thomas owns a 7.9 average and point guard Khamra Echols totals 5.4 points and 4.2 assists per contest.
Echols scored 20 points to lead Sam Houston in a 67-59 victory at Grambling State last year.
The Bearkat bench is a team strength, averaging 25.2 points a game as a group.
The Grambling game Monday is the first of two home contests for Sam Houston this week. The women will play host to Houston Baptist at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The HBU contest will be the final home game for the Kats until they open Southland action on Saturday, Jan. 8, with UTSA.
Tickets for Sam Houston women's basketball games may be purchased online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets or in person at the SHSU athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.
