Depth pays off as women earn exhibition win
11/7/2015 6:27:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Beadle is back, and she has lots of people with her.
Angela Beadle, 6-3 senior post player for the Sam Houston women's basketball game who missed the season with an injury last year, scored 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead the Kats to a 75-59 exhibition victory over Mary Hardin-Baylor Saturday afternoon.
Returning All-Southland Conference guard Shernise Robertson added 15 points and freshman Kamry Orr scored 14 points and led the team with four assists.
Twelve players saw action as the Sam Houston women flexed their depth, wearing down a Crusader team that led by two points, 35-33, at intermission. The Kats out-pointed UMHB 42-24 in the final two quarters.
“Last year our team was like a sprinkled donut, full of holes with the injuries,” Sam Houston head coach Brenda Welch-Nichols said. “This year we're like a creamed-filled donut with all kinds of good stuff with our depth. I really liked the way the veterans and the newcomers mixed together today. We got some good play from everybody.”
Sam Houston shot 50 per cent from the floor (going 27-of-54) with 40 points coming in the paint. The Bearkat defense forced 29 UMHB turnovers that resulted in 40 points off turnovers.
Senior Shadijah Moore and transfer Jasmine McCants both pulled down four rebounds in 11 minutes. Freshman Laurynn McGowen scored nine points and McCants added eight. Saundra Guillory also pulled down four boards.
“We played well inside,” Welch-Nichols said. “It's great to have Beadle back, but it's even better to have so much more depth at the post.”
The Bearkats limited Mary Hardin-Baylor to 38.6 shooting (22-of-57). The Crusaders were led by Jonelle Smith with 18 points.
The game also marked the first time for Sam Houston fans to see the new format for NCAA women's basketball with the teams played four 10-minute periods instead of two 20-minute halves. The Bearkats led 19-14 at the end of the first period but were out-scored 21-14 in the second.
The Kats roared away from their opponents with a 22-9 third quarter and outscored the Crusaders 20-15 in the final quarter.
Sam Houston begins the regular season on Friday, November 13 with a road game at TCU. The Bearkats open their regular season home schedule on Friday, November 20 with the annual “Pack the House” game against Our Lady of the Lake at 11 a.m.
