WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The University of West Alabama women's basketball team was taken down by Palm Beach Atlantic University, 73-65, Saturday afternoon from Rubin Arena.
West Alabama drops to 1-3 on the year, while Palm Beach Atlantic is now 3-1.
A close battle for the first 20 minutes,
Maryanne Logsdon made it a 38-36 West Alabama lead with her triple from
Sydney Schwallie, but Palm Beach Atlantic ended the period on a 5-0 run to swing the lead back in the home team's favor, 43-38, at the break.
The third quarter started with UWA going on a 7-0 run. After
Shayla Golden knocked down the first points of the period at the charity stripe, the next five came from Logsdon.
PBA would answer back, but thanks to two free throws by Schwallie, the Tigers and Sailfish were even at 52 going into the final stanza.
After a
Julia Rodriguez jumper put the score 62-59 in favor of the Tigers, the Sailfish used their defense to secure the lead for good. After Kash Ayuso posted a layup, she would steal the ball on the next possession and eventually converting the three-point play, 64-62, with 4:37 left in regulation.
Palm Beach Atlantic went 7-of-14 from the field in the fourth quarter, and they held West Alabama to 13 points on 5-of-16.
Maryanne Logsdon had a career day for West Alabama, dropping a season-high 13 points and surpassed 100 made field goals at West Alabama with her jump shot in the first quarter. Additionally, she netted her 50th UWA 3-pointer of her career that gave the Tigers the 38-36 lead with 2:49 left in the second quarter. She also added six rebounds and three assists to her line.
Julia Rodriguez also contributed 17 points, while
Shayla Golden posted nine points and six boards.
Kash Ayuso dropped 10-of-16 from the floor to conclude her day with 28 points, while Jahnae Midget collected a double-double with 10 points and boards each.
West Alabama will now break for Thanksgiving, as the Tigers return to Pruitt Hall for the first time in 2023-24 with the home and Gulf South Conference opener against Montevallo. Tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 27.
