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SFA wins 12th straight NCAA berth
Posted: Sunday March 12, 2000 01:08 AM
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) -- Shawnta Johnson's 14 points and eight rebounds helped Stephen F. Austin beat Northwestern State 79-68 Saturday for the Southland Conference tournament title and 12th straight NCAA tourney invitation. Stephen F. Austin (27-3) won its 12th Southland tournament title in the last 14 years. It also has captured 11 of the last 13 regular season conference crowns. Johnson, who added four steals, was named tournament MVP. The Ladyjacks led 40-34 at the break, and held Northwestern scoreless for a 3:36 stretch early in the second half to pull out to a 61-44 advantage with 12:10 remaining. Northwestern (24-6) outscored SFA 12-5 over the next 3:32, with seven points coming at the foul line, to cut the Ladyjacks' lead to 66-56. A free throw by Louise Chase cut the margin to seven, 70-63, with 4:25 left, but Northwestern could get no closer. Northwestern made 21 of 25 free throws in the game. Tami Rater scored 16 points for SFA, Nathesia Wright had 15 and Stephanie Whitmore had 15 points and four assists. Jamila Newman led Northwestern with 19 points. Kia Converse had 17, Clark 13, and Chase had 11 points and 13 rebounds. Northwestern has played Stephen F. Austin in the tournament six times previously and lost them all, by an average of 10 points. The Ladyjacks beat Northwestern in both regular-season meetings this year.
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