Kats chase history in Natchitoches
2/22/2011 1:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The appearance in post-season play will be the Bearkats' second in a row after going five years without a tournament appearance.
But, this year, just making the tournament is not enough for the women. Sam Houston has their sights set of the Southland Conference West Division title.
The Bearkats lead the West with a 9-3 conference mark and 15-11 overall record. Hot on their tail is UTSA, one game back with an 8-4 Southland slate.
"The girls don't think they have peaked yet," Sam Houston head coach Brenda Welch-Nichols said. "It's time to we start peaking toward the conference tournament and stepping up to do what we need to do as a team."
The Bearkats will need to be at their best during the regular season's final two weeks as, facing SHSU is a road encounter with Northwestern State (6-6) Wednesday night in Natchitoches, La., and a visit from East Division second place team Lamar Saturday (10-2) in Huntsville. Both games will be broadcast live on KHVL AM 1490.
"We have to continue to play our game and focus on what we need to do to take care of our destiny," Nichols said.
A Bearkat victory Wednesday in Louisiana will assure the women of their first overall winning season record since the 1996 team went 18-10.
Four Bearkats continue to rank high in Southland Conference statistics categories.
Britni Martin is the league's second-leading scorer with 16.5 points per game. Sequeena Thomas ranks 12th in scoring (13.9) and second in rebounds (9.5). Chanice Smith is 18th in scoring (11.4 points per game). Khamra Echols stands third in the Southland in assists (4.1) while Martin stands No. 5 (4.0).
Northwestern State leads the all-time women's basketball series with Sam Houston 33 victories to 13. Sam Houston defeated the Demons 82-66 last year in Huntsville. The Kats have won only three of their last nine meetings with Northwestern State.
