NACOGDOCHES, Texas (Interstat) — In a game defined by relentless defensive pressure and squandered opportunities, the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks remained undefeated, edging the Houston Cougars 82-78 in a non-conference women’s basketball thriller on Monday night at William R. Johnson Coliseum.

The contest was a statistical anomaly, pitting Houston’s overwhelming advantage in forcing turnovers against Stephen F. Austin’s superior shooting efficiency. The Ladyjacks improved to 4-0, while the Cougars fell to an even 2-2 on the young season.

Stephen F. Austin’s victory was anchored by a stellar performance from Harmanie Dominguez. The 5-foot-6 guard from Las Cruces, New Mexico, played 37 minutes and led all scorers with 17 points, including three critical 3-pointers, and was a steadying force for the Ladyjacks throughout the contest.

She was complemented perfectly by Myka Perry, a 6-1 forward from Norman, Oklahoma, who logged a game-high 40 minutes and poured in 20 points. The duo’s scoring proved essential in countering a chaotic game flow that heavily favored Houston’s disruptive style.

The Cougars forced a staggering 31 Stephen F. Austin turnovers, converting them into 28 points. Houston’s defense was tenacious, amassing 17 steals, with TK Pitts and Jade Jones repeatedly pestering the Ladyjacks’ ball-handlers. Despite this, Houston could not capitalize fully, committing 19 turnovers of their own and struggling profoundly at the free-throw line.

Houston’s offensive woes were glaring. The Cougars shot just 40 percent from the field on 32-of-80 shooting and were anemic from the charity stripe, making only 11 of 19 attempts. This inefficiency contrasted sharply with Stephen F. Austin’s sharp-shooting night. The Ladyjacks connected on 50 percent of their field goals, going 27 of 54, and were an efficient 8 of 17 from beyond the arc. They also capitalized on their free throws, making 20 of 27.

Kyndall Hunter led the charge for Houston. The 5-7 guard from Houston, Texas, scored 20 points in 30 minutes of action. Jade Jones, from Royal Palm Beach, Florida, added 14 points for the Cougars, while Pitts contributed 10 points and was a constant menace on defense.

The game was a back-and-forth affair from the opening tip. Houston held a narrow 21-20 lead after the first quarter, but Stephen F. Austin seized control in the second period, outscoring the Cougars 23-19 to take a 43-40 advantage into halftime.

The third quarter saw both teams trade blows, with Stephen F. Austin maintaining its slim lead, 63-62, heading into the final frame. The fourth quarter continued the tense pattern. Houston’s defense continued to create chances, but missed layups and crucial free throws down the stretch ultimately sealed their fate.

While Stephen F. Austin was plagued by giveaways, they made up for it with better ball movement when they secured possession, tallying 11 assists to Houston’s 17, and a stronger presence on the defensive glass. The Ladyjacks also out-blocked the Cougars 4-2.

Key contributions for Stephen F. Austin came from across the roster. Lydia Cooke-Wiggins of Dallas dished out a team-high 5 assists, while Makana Gardner of Newark Valley, New York, provided a vital 13 points off the bench. Kaylinn Kemp of Duncanville, Texas, also added 9 points.

The announced attendance of 1,186 watched as the Ladyjacks held on in the final seconds, with Houston missing a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the closing moments.

Stephen F. Austin will look to continue its perfect start when it travels to face Louisiana Tech on Sunday. Houston, meanwhile, will aim to regroup on the road against Texas-Rio Grande Valley on Thursday.