Tigers Rally Behind Wilson, Defeat Pontifical Catholic 63-59

Box Score

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Ariel Wilson scored 23 points and West Alabama erased a 10-point deficit midway through the second half to notch a 63-59 women's college basketball victory over Pontifical Catholic of Puerto Rico Friday at the Cancha Cosme Beitia Salamo on day three of the 2016 Division II Puerto Rico Classic.

West Alabama won two of three games in the Classic to come home with a 2-3 overall record. The game was an exhibition for Pontifical Catholic, who doesn't begin their regular season until February.

West Alabama trailed PC by 10 points on two different occasions, the latest being at the 1:57 mark of the third quarter, before putting together a 17-2 run to take the lead for good. Pontifical Catholic tied the game at 51-51 with 5:06 to play, but would not lead again in a game where the lead changed hands six times.

"We are finally learning to finish games and our bench is giving us great minutes," UWA head coach Rusty Cram said. "I told our staff and I told Ariel that she needed a breakout game on this trip. We needed that and Ariel needed that."

Wilson scored 15 of her 23 points in the second half, nine in the third quarter to help put the game away for the Tigers.

Pontifical Catholic led 29-22 at the half, after West Alabama made just two field goals in the second quarter and missed 12 free throws in the first two quarters.

The Tigers rebounded to shoot 56 percent (14-of-25) in the second half to finish at 44 percent for the game (20-for-45). Pontifical Catholic made just 19-of-50 from the floor (38%). Neither team shot free throws well, with UWA making 20-of-37 (54%) and PC 15-of-26 (57%).

West Alabama controlled the boards, outrebounding PC 38-33, and had a season-low 10 turnovers.

Wilson was the only UWA player in double digits. Chloe Culpepper had five rebounds and Fannasy Garrett-Hammett four assists.

Yolanda Pagan scored 25 points for Pontifical Catholic to lead all scorers. Sibet Castro notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Leyinska Rivera added 10 points.

West Alabama returns to Pruitt Hall Gym to host Auburn-Montgomery on Saturday. Tipoff is 2 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#23 Chloe Culpepper: C; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#22 Ariel Wilson: G; 5' 5"; Senior

#11 Fannasy Garrett-Hammett: G; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#23 Chloe Culpepper
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: C

#22 Ariel Wilson
: 5' 5"; Senior
: G

#11 Fannasy Garrett-Hammett
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: G

Players Mentioned

#23 Chloe Culpepper

#22 Ariel Wilson

#11 Fannasy Garrett-Hammett

Players Mentioned

#23 Chloe Culpepper

#22 Ariel Wilson

#11 Fannasy Garrett-Hammett