Opening Day Winners Duel Monday Night
1/4/2015 4:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Two women's basketball teams that won their Southland Conference openers Saturday face off Monday when Sam Houston plays host to Northwestern State at 5:30 p.m. at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
The Demons defeated Houston Baptist 78-68 at Sharp Gym in Houston while the Bearkats knocked off Incarnate Word 59-55 at Johnson Saturday.
Northwestern State brings a 6-6 overall record into the contest. Sam Houston now stands 2-9 after the Kats' victory over the Cardinals.
The Bearkats and the Demons are meeting for the 65th time in the two universities' women's basketball histories. Northwestern State holds a 37-17 lead in the season. The home team has won each of the last 11 games in the series. Sam Houston won 57-53 in Huntsville and the Demons earned a 78-59 victory in Natchitoches last year.
Both squads rely on guard play. The Demons are led by junior guards 5-5 Keisha Lee and 5-2 Janelle Perez. Lee averaged 10.7 points per game while Perez adds 9.3 per contest. Perez scored a career high 30 points at Houston Baptist Saturday night, the Demons' first 30-point performance since the 2012 season.
Guards Shernise Robertson and Taylor Dorsey lead the Bearkats. Robertson is averaging 15.2 points per game while Dorsey adds 11.5 per contest.
Playing short-handed due to several injuries to top returning players, Sam Houston has been playing several newcomers in key positions. The Kat women have not put their complete lineup on the floor for any game this winter. Seven current players have missed at least one game with injuries or illnesses. Two senior starters have not seen the floor at all.
Transfer Shadijah Moore and freshman Saundra Guillory have been key players inside for Sam Houston, averaging 6.2 and 5.7 rebounds, respectively. Sophomore guard Morghen Day adds 5.5 points per game as the SHSU women's starter at point guard.
Northwestern State was selected second behind pre-season favorite Stephen F. Austin in the annual Southland Conference preseason poll voted upon by the league's head coaches. Sam Houston was tabbed 10th in the preseason predictions.
Following Monday's game with Northwestern State, the Bearkat women begin a three-game Southland road trip. The Kats will travel to Southeastern Louisiana, New Orleans and Nicholls before returning to Huntsville for their next home game Saturday, January 17 against McNeese State.
