Nov. 24, 2008
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Junior forward Larrissa Williams led all players with 21 points and 14 rebounds, but it was not enough as The University of Tulsa women's basketball team lost 59-55 at Stephen F. Austin Monday evening at the William R. Johnson Coliseum.
The Golden Hurricane (2-2) out-rebounded the Lady Jacks 53-33, including a 26-14 advantage on the offensive boards. TU also led SFA 30-10 in points in the paint and 26-12 in second chance points; however, it committed 23 turnovers and Stephen F. Austin (3-1) recorded 13 steals and made nine three-pointers in the game.
For the game, Tulsa shot 39 percent of 22-of-65 shooting, including 2-of-14 from three-point territory and 9-of-13 from the free throw line. Stephen F. Austin shot 36 percent for the contest on 20-56 shooting, including 9-of-19 three-pointers and 10-of-16 on free throws.
Each team endured long scoring droughts, but during the droughts, the opposing team could never pull away for a comfortable lead. Both teams took a while to open up the scoring at the beginning of each half. To begin the game, Tulsa's first basket came on a Williams lay-up off of her own rebound, one-and-a-half minutes into the game. Stephen F. Austin's first basket came on a jumper by Tammara Marion two minutes into the game.
The Golden Hurricane played suffocating defense for the first part of the second half, not allowing SFA to score a field goal until five minutes into the period. The Lady Jacks first points came on the front end of two free throws by Ebony Alexander with 15:12 remaining in the game, and the first basket came on a three-pointer by Natasha Green.
The defense could have allowed Tulsa to take a large lead; however, in that time period, the Hurricane scored just six points, and led 38-36 when SFA's basket went in at 15:00. TU had a critical field goal scoring drought of its own in the second half.
Senior forward Chanel Johnson hit a jumper in the paint at the 13:02 mark to give Tulsa a 44-41 lead, which did not last long as the Lady Jacks returned with a three-pointer to tie the game at 44 apiece. The Golden Hurricane did not make a field goal again until junior forward Teka Brooks hit a jump shot in the paint with 4:40 left in the game.
TU did make three free-throws during that time period, one by freshman forward Chanice Scott, and two by Williams. Meanwhile, SFA had built a 56-47 lead, on the strength of a 17-6 run from its first field goal of the second half. The Hurricane was able to close the deficit to three points on a jumper by Brooks, one-of-two made free throws by sophomore guard Tatum Beer and two jumpers and a free throw by Williams.
Williams, who had 12 points at halftime, was held scoreless in the second period until she made the pair of baskets, the first of which came with 2:27 remaining in the game.
TU trailed 58-55 with 1:21 left in the contest, but attempted only one shot the rest of the way, and SFA made a free throw, to reach the final score of 59-55. The Hurricane was hurt by turnovers late in the second half, as it committed six turnovers between the 7:34 mark and the 3:41 mark, missing on what could have been key scoring opportunities.
The Golden Hurricane returns to the Reynolds Center Friday when it welcomes Marist at 7 p.m. All Golden Hurricane women's basketball news and information can be found on the web at www.TulsaHurricane.com.
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