Kats, Demons square off at Johnson Coliseum
2/22/2017 12:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Game 25
Thursday, Feb. 23 • Huntsville, Texas • 6:30 p.m. • Johnson Coliseum
Sam Houston State (2-22, 2-12 SLC) vs Northwestern State (12-13, 6-8 SLC)
Live Stats • @BearkatsWBB on Twitter
HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston State begins a three-game homestand on Thursday, hosting Northwestern State at 6:30 p.m. from Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
After advancing to the Southland Conference Tournament finals a season ago, Sam Houston is in need of a late surge to reach the eight-team event for a second-straight season. The Bearkats sit in 11th among eligible members but are just two games back of eighth place.
The Bearkats' first test will come a Northwestern State program trying to lock in a tournament bid. In the first meeting between the two in Natchitoches, La., Sam Houston was unsuccessful in slowing down Beatrice Attura, who posted a team-leading 29 points in a 78-51 NSU win.
Since that time, however, a youth-laden Sam Houston squad has shown signs of growth. The Bearkats have won two of their last three at home including wins against Southeastern Louisiana and Houston Baptist while taking a three-point halftime lead against Stephen F. Austin.
Sam Houston's Lydia Baxter, Angela Delaney, Jenniffer Oramas, Rachel Harrell and Kiera McKinney each rank in the top-15th in the league for select categories. In 3-point field goal percentage, Oramas and Harrell ranked ninth (.370) and 14th (.356) respectively.
Delaney is 11th for free-throw percentage (.779) while Baxter is 12th in rebounding (6.5) and McKinney is fourth in blocked shots (34). Teammate Jasmine McCants, the team scoring leader with 8.4 points per game, is ninth for offensive rebounds (2.5) and Morghen Day is 10th for minutes per game (31.2).
Tickets to Thursday's matchup are currently on sale for as low as $5. Students receive free admission with a valid Bearkat OneCard. Following Thursday, Sam Houston stays home to face Abilene Christian on Saturday at 4 p.m. and McNeese the following Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
