McNeese Women's Basketball holds on for an 82-79 win over Sam Houston State

Staff Reports

The Contrband

Seniors Allison Baggett and Jayln Johnson combined for 48 points and sophomore Frederica Haywood pulled down a season high 17 rebounds to lead McNeese in a thrilling 82-79 win over Sam Houston State Saturday. The win improves the Cowgirls’ record to 11-6 overall and 3-2 in league play. The Cowgirls also remain undefeated at home at 7-0.

“I’m really proud of the way we played today. especially of the defensive effort of Frederica,” said head coach Brooks Donald Williams. “Hats off to our entire team for finishing today. Allison and Jayln stepped it up today and provided the leadership we needed.”

The Cowgirls put forth their second best shooting game, ending the game with a 52.4 field goal percent after connecting on 33 of 63 attempts.

Johnson scored 20 second half points including two free throws with three seconds left in the game to seal the victory. Sam Houston State’s Shernise Robertson’s last second three-pointer was off the mark as time expired.

Johnson ended the game with a double-double as she dished out 12 assist and didn’t commit a turnover. Johnson made 7 of 13 from the field including two 3-pointers. Johnson was nearly flawless from the free throw line, making 7 of 8.

Baggett scored a season high 25 points, as did Victoria Rachal with 12. Baggett was 11 of 22 from the field including three 3-pointers. Rachal was 5 of 8 from the field with two 3-pointers.

Enough can’t be said about the defensive effort of Haywood on the Bearkats’ leading rebounder in Angela Beadle. Beadle entered the game averaging 8.9 rebounds and was held to three. Beadle and Robertson led Sam Houston State in scoring with 24 and 30, respectively. Kamry Orr added 12 points.

McNeese held a slim two point lead after the first quarter but trailed by three 34-31 at the half after being outscored 19-14 in the second quarter.

The Cowgirls opened the third quarter on a 5-0 run to take a 36-34 following a layup by Haywood. McNeese opened up its largest lead of the game of seven points following a layup by Amber Donnes and a trey by Baggett. Sam Houston State continued to go inside to Beadle but the Cowgirls responded on offense behind Johnson and Baggett. McNeese held a 55-51 lead after the third off a three-pointer by Donnes one of two free throws by Johnson.

The Cowgirls held seven point leads twice in the fourth off a jumper from Baggett early in the quarter and then a three by Baggett midway through the quarter.

Robertson hit a three-pointer with 3:38 to bring the Bearkats to within one but Baggett responded with a three to up the Cowgirl lead back to four points. The teams traded baskets for the next two and a half minutes.

McNeese will remain home to host Incarnate Word next Wednesday in a 7 p.m. game.