Kats wipe slate clean for Southland debut
1/2/2015 8:25:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Two women's basketball teams that ended pre-conference play with losing streaks get to wipe the slate clean Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. when Sam Houston plays host to University of the Incarnate Word in both squad's Southland opener at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
The UIW Cardinals from San Antonio started their second season of the university's transition to full NCAA Division I status with victories in two of their first three contests (including a two-point victory over the Houston Cougars).
But the Cardinal women are 1-7 since including a three-game losing streak to end non-league action in December to come into Saturday's contest at SHSU with a 3-8 mark.
Sam Houston posted only one victory in its 10 non-conference games. The Bearkats defeated Texas Southern 61-54 on December 3 at Johnson Coliseum but have lost four contests since. Seven of the SHSU women's losses have come on the road to strong Division I foes including TCU, Wichita State, Southern California and LSU.
Regardless of the records coming into contest, the winner Saturday will walk out of Johnson Coliseum tied for first place in the Southland.
Injuries have been a factor for both ball clubs.
UIW junior transfer Shanise Brooks, who missed the majority of her squad's games this winter, returned to score 19 points and pull down 17 rebounds in a 72-67 loss to Grand Canyon earlier this week.
Sam Houston has not put its complete lineup on the floor for any game this winter. Seven current players have missed at least one game with injuries or illnesses and two seniors including preseason All-Southland post player Angela Beadle haven't seen the floor at all.
The Cardinals look to get scoring punch from a recent addition to the roster, 6-0 junior college All-American Breanna Birmingham. Aricka Adams, a 5-5 point guard who owns a 13.4 scoring mean, is the only UIW player in double figures this year.
Sam Houston head coach Brenda Nichols will look to use her backcourt scoring talent to get the Kats off to a strong league start.
Three guards lead the SHSU women in scoring. Shernise Robertson, a junior college transfer, averages 14.8 points per game while sophomore Taylor Dorsey and junior Amanda Barnes add 11.8 and 8.4 points per contest, respectively.
After playing on the road in six of their last eight games, the Bearkats have the opportunity to play on their home floor in back-to-back games.
Monday, Southland action continues as SHSU plays host to Northwestern State in a 5:30 p.m. contest as part of another doubleheader with the Bearkat men.
Tickets for all Sam Houston home basketball games are available now online at www.gobearkats.com .
