Box Score

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Williesha Spencer hit a running leaner with one second left to lift Flagler College to a 63-62 women's college basketball victory over West Alabama Friday in day one action of the McDonald Fleming Moorhead Thanksgiving Classic at the UWF Field House.
 
The win improved the Saints to 1-2. West Alabama suffered its first loss of the season and dropped to 3-1.
 
“We dug ourselves a hole early and had to keep climbing out of it all day,” UWA head coach Craig Roden said. “We didn't do a good job defensively, we didn't shoot well and we got beat on the boards. When you get beat in those three areas it's tough to win.”
 
Flagler jumped out to a 13-2 lead, but West Alabama battled back to trail 26-22 at halftime.
 
The Saints led 57-55 with just over three minutes to play before UWA scored the next five points to take a 60-57 advantage with 1:30 left. The Tigers had an opportunity to ice the game at the free throw line in the last minute, but made just 3-of-6 down the stretch.
 
“We shot 82 percent (26-of-32) from the line for the game, but made just 3-of-6 in the last minute,” Roden said. “Three of our six missed free throws came when we really needed makes.”
 
Trailing 61-59, Flagler's Rachel Brown knocked down a short jumper to tie the game with 41 seconds left. After missed field goal attempts by both teams, UWA's Tamya Thompson went to the free throw line with seven seconds left, but made just one of two to set up Spencer's game winner.
 
Brittany Weathers came of the bench to score 23 points and grab seven rebounds for West Alabama. Jamie Gunter chipped in 14 and Thompson 12 to round out double figure scoring for the Tigers.
 
Spencer and Shelbi Lindsey scored 15 apiece to lead the Saints. Jen Knurek added 10 for Flagler.
 
West Alabama remains at the University of West Florida tourney to play Lincoln Memorial at noon on Saturday. Flagler will play the hosting Argonauts following the conclusion of that UWA game.