NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin came into Wednesday's game with the nation's 4th-longest winning streak, an unblemished mark in Southland play, and a perfect home record this season.
Thanks to Central Arkansas, they ended the night with only a loss.
For the second straight season, the Sugar Bears left Johnson Coliseum victorious, defeating the Ladyjacks 67-63 to win their fifth straight and assume the league's longest winning streak.
The Sugar Bears (14-4, 6-2 Southland), who came in with the top scoring defense in the Southland and 4th in the nation at 52.3 points per game, held the Ladyjacks (15-3, 6-1) – the league's highest-scoring offense – to nearly 19 points beneath their conference scoring average in dealing SFA its first loss since a Nov. 20 loss to Texas A&M.
It was the first loss for the Ladyjacks in Johnson Coliseum in over a year, having last loss to Lamar on Jan. 21, 2016.
The Sugar Bears dominated the glass on Wednesday, outrebounding the Ladyjacks 32-17 – including a 14-4 advantage in offensive rebounds that led to an 18-2 difference in second-chance points.
After building a 41-36 lead at the half, the Sugar Bears took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter after a buzzer beater from Maggie Proffitt, who finished with a team-high 19 points. The 'Jacks would not go down easy, however, as they went on a 10-0 run to draw even with 4:00 minutes to play.
The teams traded baskets over the next couple minutes, with the Sugar Bears regaining the lead for good on a Kierra Jordan basket in the paint with 1:16 to go. The Ladyjacks were hindered in the final minute by three turnovers, the last one coming when Taylor Baudoin dove to the floor to secure a loose ball.
After a timeout, the Sugar Bears were able to run off nearly four seconds of clock before the Ladyjacks committed a foul to send Baudoin to the line. Baudoin – who made the game-winner in the final second in last year's game – sank both, making it a two-possession game with under three seconds left to seal the win.
Baudoin had 17 points – her most since scoring 18 at Texas Tech on Dec. 14 – and team highs of 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Brianna Mullins added 14 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, and shot 6-8 from the field and 2-3 from 3-point range. Jordan added 12 points and 4 rebounds, including 10 points in the first quarter.
SFA was led by Taylor Ross' 21. Brentney Branch had 13 points for the 'Jacks, while committing a game-high 6 turnovers.
The Sugar Bears come home Saturday looking for their sixth straight as they host Incarnate Word at 2:00pm to kick off a doubleheader in the Farris Center with the Bears and Cardinals to follow.
