By Jonathon Zenk, Northwestern State Assistant Director of Communications; featured photo by Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services SAN ANTONIO—In another tight matchup against UIW, the Northwestern State women’s basketball squad was edged out by a Myra Bell jump shot at the buzzer, resulting in a 48-46 defeat in the Southland Conference opener on Friday afternoon […]
By Jonathon Zenk, Northwestern State Assistant Director of Communications; featured photo by Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services
SAN ANTONIO—In another tight matchup against UIW, the Northwestern State women’s basketball squad was edged out by a Myra Bell jump shot at the buzzer, resulting in a 48-46 defeat in the Southland Conference opener on Friday afternoon at the McDermott Center.
Bell, who recorded eight points in the contest, made a jumper near the baseline to cap off a frantic final few minutes in which Northwestern State rallied from a six-point deficit to level the score in the closing moments.
“I am disappointed in the result,” head coach Anna Nimz stated. “Typically when you limit a team to 48 points, you’re in a favorable position to win. However, we simply lacked sufficient contributions on the offensive side.
We executed well but missed several close-range buckets that we need to convert. We squandered chances on offensive put-backs.
UIW capitalized on our live ball turnovers which accounted for nearly half of their points.
We will keep improving and developing.
I was very proud of those final five and their determination to win. There is much to improve upon, but we have the potential to be exceptional.”
The Demons (3-5) were again led by Mya Blake in the last quarter, contributing six of Northwestern State’s final eight points, narrowing a 46-40 UIW lead to a tied game.
Blake, who shared the team lead with 15 points, leveled the score with a challenging runner in the lane off the glass with 28 seconds to go. She scored after securing her 12th rebound of the game, marking her first double-double of the season.
Blake and Vernell Atamah each netted 15 points, totaling 30 of Northwestern State’s 46 points.
“Mya had an outstanding game,” Nimz remarked. “She elevates the performance of those around her and consistently strives to get everyone quality shot opportunities.”
Northwestern State aimed for a quick start and achieved that, connecting on six of their 12 field goal attempts to grab a 14-8 advantage, keeping the Cardinals to just 3-of-12 from the field. Atamah led the way with nine points, successfully making four of her five field goal attempts.
The lead swelled to a game-high eight points early in the second quarter courtesy of a jumper from Blake. However, a 17-4 surge from UIW allowed the Cardinals to take a five-point lead at halftime.
Jorja Elliott led the comeback, scoring nine of her game-high 22 points while also providing an assist, contributing to 11 of the team’s 19 points in the second quarter, as the Cardinals outscored the Demons 19-8 during that stretch.
Throughout the game, the Demons committed 18 turnovers, which turned into 21 points for the Cardinals.
UIW shot 37.3 percent and Northwestern State shot 36.7 percent from the field, but the Demons struggled from beyond the arc, making only one of 12 3-point attempts.
Nia Hardison achieved a season-high eight points on 3-of-5 shooting, including four points in the fourth quarter. Her final points came with a jump shot at 1:12 remaining, narrowing the deficit to 46-44.
Brynn Lusby contributed off the bench for the Cardinals with eight points.
The Demons will return to Natchitoches on Dec. 14 for a matchup against former SLC rival Central Arkansas at Prather Coliseum.
