Lady Jags Win On Last Second Free-Throws By Jessica Starling
Game winning free throws with a mere 3.6 seconds left in the game seals the win for the Lady Jaguars over Arkansas State. The Jags record improves to 13-5 and 4-3 in the SBC while Arkansas State falls to 9-9 and 3-4 in the SBC.
USA had a hot start to open the half. Hitting six of their first ten shots from the floor while Nettles and Starling led the way combining to score 12 of the first 17 points for USA putting them out in front 17-12 with 13:37 left in the first half.
But Arkansas State would take the lead a few minutes later and it would be traded back an forth a few times until ASU would make their last basket of the first half at the 5:54 mark. USA would take advantage and close out the half on a 13-1 run to end the half with the Jaguars leading 36-26.
USA would continue the momentum from the end of the first half through the first four minutes of the second half by outscoring ASU 11-5 over that stretch. With 12:05 left in the second half the Jaguar lead would swell to 55-37 but ASU would not give up.
ASU’s Smith, Jefferson and Taylor would combine to score 24 of the their teams 30 points over the final 12 minutes of the game. With USA holding a 10 point lead with less than 3 minutes left in the game, ASU would score 11 unanswered points in a minute and a half putting ASU ahead 66-65.
ASU’s Jefferson was fouled with 25 seconds left and sunk both free throws to give them a one point advantage. USA’s ensuing possession saw a jump ball call when the ball was tied up. The Lady Jags had the possession arrow and thus retained the ball. On the inbounds play, Starling was held which sent her to the line with a one-and-one opportunity with 3.6 seconds left. She sunk both attempts. Arkansas State inbounded the ball and their half court shot would not fall giving the Jaguars the win.
Shakira Nettles would lead all scorers with 27 on 11-17 shooting and 4-6 from outside the arc and sinking one of two free-throw attempts. Ra’Shawna Sippio would chip in 11 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. Jessica Starling would score 13 on 3-8 shooting and 1-4 from 3-point range and hitting all six free-throw shots, including the final two to win the game for the Jaguars. Sarda Peterson would play five minutes, seeing her first action since her ankle injury against MTSU.
Ebonie Jefferson would lead Arkansas State with 21 points on 7-10 shooting and 7-9 from the free throw line. Veronica Smith would add 14 and Jazmine Taylor would score 12 for the Red Wolves.
The Jaguars will be in action again when they host the Western Division leader UALR on Wednesday, January 21st with tip-off scheduled for 7:05pm.