MOBILE I For the second time in six days a college women's basketball game between West Alabama and Spring Hill came down to the final seconds, and for the second time in six days the Tigers escaped with a victory.
Sydney King's jumper in the paint with 25.8 seconds left in overtime and two seconds left on the shot clock, plus a free throw by Moejha Calmes with 9.5 left, proved to be just enough as the Tigers escaped the Outlaw Center with a 68-67 victory over the Badgers.
Down 68-66 with 8.5 seconds left, Spring Hill missed a chance to tie the game when Wilson was charged with a technical foul for slapping the ball out of the inbounding Badger passer's hand. Natalie Harper split a pair of free throws and Calmes stole the basketball before Spring Hill could get a game-winner up.
"We had some folks come off the bench and give us huge minutes," UWA head coach Rusty Cram said. "With Cat in foul trouble it made it difficult for us because is a 'go to' player, but every time we can win at buzzer and or the last minute it helps a very young team."
With five points and six rebounds, Catherine Taylor picked up her fourth foul and was forced to retreat to the UWA bench with 7:17 left in the third period. She did not return until 5:46 left in the game before fouling out with 2:53 left in the fourth quarter. It was Taylor who hit the game-winner for UWA Sunday with four seconds left.
Calmes finished with 17 points to lead West Alabama, making 9-of-12 free throws. Wilson followed with 14 points. King had nine points and a team-high seven rebounds for the Tigers.
"Moe played great and Peyton Parker did a tremendous job," Cram said. "The difference in the game was Moe. Sydney did a great job, especially for a freshman.
"Sydney has that leaping ability, or "ups" to get a great finish," Cram said. "You normally can't design something like that to win a game with a freshman, but you can with her."
After a dominating first quarter where the Tigers made 10-of-15 field goal attempts and led 24-14, the Badgers clawed their way back to a 36-30 lead at the half by outscoring UWA 22-6 in the second period as UWA went on a 4:13 scoring drought.
The teams split third quarter runs, with West Alabama starting with a 15-4 advantage, only to give way to a 11-2 Spring Hill run to end the period leading 51-47.
Tiffany Valentine scored 15 points to lead Spring Hill. Leah Washington and Harper chipped in 10 apiece. Camry Johnson collected a game-high nine rebounds.
West Alabama returns to action Tuesday, hosting Stillman at 5 p.m.
