NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Central Arkansas'
Taylor Baudoin made just one basket against Stephen F. Austin on Thursday.
The one that mattered most.
With the game tied with 4.7 seconds left and all eyes on
Maggie Proffitt, who had scored a season-high 28 points, Central Arkansas got the ball to Baudoin right in front of the basket for the go-ahead score, and the Sugar Bears got a stop on the other end as Stephen F. Austin's Taylor Ross misfired just before the buzzer to give the Sugar Bears their first-ever win at William R. Johnson Coliseum and bring an end to the Ladyjacks' conference home winning streak at 700 days.
"I don't even know what to say," said UCA head coach Sandra Rushing. "I'm so proud of these ladies. They were down 10 and fought back. I saw a lot of heart and pride. This is a big win for us. This is exciting."
On just one day's rest, the Sugar Bears (12-2, 2-1 Southland) won for the first time in seven tries at SFA, giving the Ladyjacks (7-7, 1-2) their first home loss to a Southland foe in 15 games, dating back to 2014, and avenged a 27-point defeat in Conway last season.
"I thought Coach (Destinee) Rogers did an excellent job on such short turnaround getting the girls ready," Rushing said. "I think our energy was great, and I remember the whipping we took last year at our place, and I think Maggie and Bri (Mullins) remembered it too, from the way they played. I'm so proud of these girls for fighting and getting this win."
Down by eight late in the third quarter, Rushing was whistled for a technical foul – resulting in a pair of successful SFA free throws to put the Ladyjacks up 10, 38-28, with 3:30 left in the quarter. From there, the Sugar Bears ended the quarter on a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to four headed into the final quarter. Proffitt had seven of her 11 third-quarter points during the run, and
Kendara Watts added a 3-pointer to help get the Sugar Bears back within striking distance.
The Sugar Bears saved their best for last, scoring 17 in the fourth quarter – shooting 75 percent from the field and making 10 free throws. They took the lead with under eight minutes to play on a 3-pointer from Proffitt, but the Ladyjacks reclaimed the lead a few possessions later. SFA kept the lead until the 1:29 mark when
Brianna Mullins hit a pair of free throws. After SFA's Adrienne Lewis missed a pair of free throws, she got the deflection off a
Raquel Logan block of a Kennedy Harris shot and scored to put SFA back in the lead with 1:01 to go.
Mullins struck again on the other end, converting a three-point play with a layup and free throw, making it 53-51 UCA. Lewis tied the game again with 20 seconds to play, giving the Sugar Bears the final possession. Proffitt got open for a potential game-winner but her shot was off the mark, but the carom was knocked out of bounds by the Ladyjacks.
After calling timeout, the Sugar Bears inbounded on the baseline underneath the goal, and with Proffitt going one way and taking the attention with her, Baudoin slipped in for the deciding score.
"We subbed Taylor in for her offense, and we knew they'd end up switching and trailing, worrying about Maggie," Rushing said. "Taylor slipped back to the basket and got the shot we were looking for. It was beautiful. The girls executed that play perfectly. They fought and played with great effort. I thought Maggie and Bri led this team. Maggie in the huddle gets them together and said 'they're not better than us – we can beat them', and that's what you want to hear from your all-conference players."
Proffitt's 28 was a season high, second highest of her career, and most against a Division I opponent. She was 9 for 20 from the field, including 3-for-8 from 3-point range and 7-of-8 at the free throw line. Mullins aded 14, also coming away with a team-high three steals. Logan led the team with 7 rebounds and 2 blocks, and Watts added 5 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
Baudoin had 3 points – a free throw and the game-winner.
Lewis led SFA with 18 points and 13 rebounds and Taylor Schippers had 11 points and 6 assists.
The Sugar Bears return to the Farris Center for two games next week, facing Lamar at 5:30 on Monday and Houston Baptist at 7:00 on Wednesday.
