Feb. 18, 2008

NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack basketball team returns to action Saturday when they journey to Huntsville, Texas to take on Sam Houston State. The Ladyjacks (9-14/6-5 SLC) have won two consecutive games and three of the past four heading into the showdown with the Bearkats. Sam Houston State has struggled throughout the 2007-08 season. SHSU enters Saturday's game with a 1-23 (.042) overall record, and has dropped 19 straight since a three-point decision over Western Illinois back in November. Saturday's game is slated for a 3 p.m. tipoff at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.

Saturday's meeting between SFA and Sam Houston State will mark the 64th meeting between the two schools, a series which dates back to the 1972-73 season. The Ladyjacks have dominated the all-time series owning a 58-5 (.921) record. The Ladyjacks have won five consecutive and six of the last seven meetings against SHSU. The Ladyjacks recorded a 73-40 win over Sam Houston State in Nacogdoches earlier this season.

Senior Nikki Carr exploded for a career-high 30 points in the Ladyjacks' 17-point victory at Central Arkansas Thursday night. Carr finished the night shooting 8-of-15 (.533) from the floor, 3-of-6 (.500) from beyond the arc and 11-of-12 (.917) from the free throw line. It marked the first time a Ladyjack has scored 30 points in a game since LaToya Mills struck for 30 against Jackson State during the 2004-05 season.

Carr recorded her fourth double-double of the season, Thursday night when she scored 30 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. She just missed her first-career triple-double by three assists, finishing the game with seven. She also recorded four steals on the night. It marks the eighth time this season that SFA has had a player record a double-double.

Carr also took advantage of her free throw opportunities Thursday night in Conway. Carr connected on 11-of-12 (.917) attempts. The 11 free throws tie Carr with nine other players for the ninth-best performance from the free throw line in school history.

Not to be outdone by her teammate, junior Jessica Gaines also recorded an all-around performance in the Ladyjacks' win over Central Arkansas. Gaines scored 16 points, pulled down seven rebounds, dished out four assists and recorded four steals. She also finished the night knocking down four three-pointers.

The Ladyjacks did a good job of making sure everybody got involved in the offense Saturday against Northwestern State. SFA was led by three players in double figures, but seven Ladyjacks scored at least seven points in the game.

The Ladyjacks will close out the month with a game against Texas State Thursday, Feb. 28. The game against the Bobcats is slated to begin at 7 p.m. from the William R. Johnson Coliseum. SFA will travel to Arlington, Texas, two days later for a showdown with the Lady Mavs. The game against Texas-Arlington is slated to tipoff at 4 p.m. from Texas Hall.