LAS VEGAS — Stephen F. Austin went on a second-half run to knock Sam Houston out of the Western Athletic Conference Tournament with a 74-59 victory at the Orleans Arena on Wednesday.
The game was close in the first half, but the Ladyjacks used a 9-0 run to take a 46-33 lead with less than five minutes to go in the third quarter.
Raanee Smith and
Kaylee Jefferson scored back-to-back baskets to cut the advantage to nine. SFA responded with with six unanswered points to go on top 52-37 at the 2:52 mark of the third.
Sam Houston closed out the period with a 4-0 run on free throws by Jefferson and
Tierney Coleman and a steal and a layup by
Mikayla Woods to get back within 54-45. Smith opened the fourth quarter with an old-fashioned three-point play to make it a two-possession game.
SFA then went on a 7-0 run, and the Bearkats never got any closer.
Woods led Sam Houston with 13 points, and Smith posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Madelyn Batista added 10 points and eight boards.
