Kats host Southland leader ACU Thursday night
1/20/2016 9:10:00 AM | Women's Basketball
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL THURSDAY
Sam Houston (7-9, Southland 3-3) vs. Abilene Christian (14-2, Souuthland 5-0)
6:30 p.m. at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville
Radio: KHVL 104.9 FM
Tickets available on www.gobearkats.com
CONFERENCE-LEADING ACU VISITS BEARKAT WOMEN
The only team still unbeaten in 2016 Southland Conference women's action, Abilene Christian, visits the Bearkats Thursday. The Wildcats are off to a 14-2 start, a record tied for the best start in ACU history. Abilene Christian comes to Huntsville sporting a 10-game winning streak that includes seven consecutive road victories.
LAST TIME OUT - McNEESE 82, SAM HOUSTON 79
Three Bearkats posted season bests (Shernise Robertson 30, Angela Beadle 24 and Kamry Orr 12) but the Sam women fell short Saturday in Lake Charles in an 82-79 loss to the Cowgirls. The Kats led 34-31 at intermission but were out-scored 24-17 in the third quarter. Sam Houston had a couple of opportunities to force overtime in the final minute but could not connect.
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE STATISTICS RANKINGS
For the second year in a row, Shernise Robertson is leading the Southland in scoring with a 17.7 average. Angela Beadle stands No. 2 in rebounding (8.8) and field goal percentage (.520) and No. 14 in scoring (13.6). Robertson ranks 7th in assists (3.1).
BEARKAT PAIR MOVING UP IN CAREER STANDINGS
Senior center Angela Beadle ranks No. 14 in SHSU women's career scoring (1,087 points). Her next targets in the rankings are No. 13 Chanice Smith (1,107 in 2010-13) and No. 12 Alice Johnson (1,109 in 2000-03). Beadle also ranks No. 3 in career blocks (149) and fourth in Bearkat rebounds (824).
Senior guard Shernise Robertson has climbed to No. 20 in Sam Houston all-time scoring with 814 points. Judy Landriault (837 points in 1977-80) stands in 19th place. Robertson led the Southland in scoring last year. Her career average of 18.8 points per game is tied as the best in Bearkat women's annals. Sherry Pfister averaged 18.8 points from 1980 to 1983. Sam Houston head coach Brenda Welch-Nichols averaged 17.8 points from 1988 to 1989.
THREE OTHER VETERANS IN STARTING ROLES
Three other returning letter-winners – 6-3 senior forward Shadijah Moore, 5-5 senior guard Amanda Barnes and 5-6 junior guard Morghen Day – fill out the Bearkat starting five.
THE SAM HOUSTON BENCH
Sam Houston is averaging 17.1 bench points per contest. Freshmen Kamry Orr and Laurynn McGowen each are averaging more than 22 minutes per game off the bench. Other contributors include junior Jasmine McCants, freshmen Lydia Baxter and Ashleigh Cooper and senior Jasmin Anderson.
ABILENE CHRISTIAN SCOUTING REPORTING
The league-leading Wildcats are paced by Alexis Mason, a 6-1 freshman who is averaging 16.1 points per game. Mason has won each of the past two Southland Conference women's basketball “Player of the Week” awards after leading ACU to consecutive victories for Northwestern State, Nicholls, McNeese and Stephen F. Austin.
Whitney West Swinford, a 5-7 junior guard adds 11.3 points per game and 6-1 sophomore forward Sydney Shelstead leads the squad with 7.7 rebounds per contest.
