LIVINGSTON, Ala. –West Alabama Women's Basketball's second half rally came up short as the Tigers fell to West Florida 64-60 in Gulf South Conference action at Pruitt Hall Saturday.
The win lifts West Florida to 16-9 overall and 14-7 in the GSC, having already clinched a place in the conference tournament. The loss eliminates West Alabama's post season hopes, dropping the Tigers to 9-16 and 6-15 with one game left in the regular season.
"I still think we are better ball club than we were two months ago," said UWA head coach
Rusty Cram.
"We beat them in the third and fourth quarter, but I was a little frustrated how we lost our poise in the final seconds. That is a teaching point that we will continue working on. We have to continue to get better inside, because our guards rarely had anyone to go to, and we are not deep enough right now that we can come in with quality experience on the wings."
The Argonauts had built up a 36-28 lead at halftime, before Arial Wilson led the UWA charge in the second half, scoring 20 points. The Tigers outscored UWF 31-28 in the second half, but were unable to capture a lead.
Wilson finished 23 total points, shooting 10-of-20 from the field.
Catherine Taylor added 11 points with two 3-point field goals and 5-of-6 at the free-throw line.
The Tigers combined to shoot 23-of-56 (41 percent) from the field and 5-of-15 (33 percent) from the 3-point arc, while the Argonauts hit 24-of-61 (39 percent) and 5-of-16 (31 percent).
UWA led the rebounding effort 36-30, with Chloe Cullpepper and
Sydney King each posting nine. Culpepper went on to tally three blocked shots on defense.
Four Argo's posted double-digit scoring marks, with Toni Brewer leading with 18 points. She ended 7-of-15 from the field. Katie O'Neil hit four of her team's five 3-pointers to finish with 14 points. Katie Bobos followed with 11 points and Courtney Meyer with 10.
West Alabama women's hoops will wrap up the 2016 regular season at home when it takes on West Georgia on Thursday. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. in Pruitt Hall.
