[November 28, 2006]

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas University used a hot-shooting second half and took advantage of opponent turnovers in claiming a 77-67 win over the University of West Alabama on Tuesday at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center. After five opening-season losses, it was the Lady Muleriders’ (1-5) first win, while the Tigers dropped to 3-2 on the year.

SAU held a narrow 36-34 lead at the half after trailing by as much as seven, 16-9, early on. Southern Arkansas shot only 38.2 percent on 13 of 34 shooting, while UWA was 13 of 25 for 52 percent. A 13-5 run culminated by two free throws by Goldie White knotted it at 22, the sixth tie of the game, with 6:12 left in the first stanza, and the Lady Muleriders would hold the first half lead.

West Alabama came back though, scoring seven unanswered points to take a 41-36 lead with 17:49 remaining. The two teams bounced back and forth, with the Tigers holding a three-point advantage, 59-56, at 8:48, before SAU took control. Brooke Grigsby’s lay-up gave Southern Arkansas a 62-61 lead with 6:16 left, sparking the Lady Muleriders to a 21-8 run to end the game.

SAU hit a hot 54.5 percent in the second half on 18 of 33, including three of seven treys after hitting just six of 19 in the first stanza. Southern Arkansas was 31 of 67 for the game (46.3 percent), nine of 26 on threes (34.6), and shot only nine free throws, hitting six for 66.7 percent. UWA hit 24 of 54 from field for 44.4 percent, including five of 11 treys for 45.5 percent, and was 14 of 23 from the charity stripe for 60.9 percent.

White hit a game-high 21 points and pulled down a team-high seven boards for the Lady Muleriders. She was nine of 21 from the field, one of four threes, and hit both free throws. Grigsby chipped in 17 points and had four steals, Blair Jordan added 11 points, and Kayla Jones finished with 10.

Ashton Washington led five West Alabama players in double-figures with 14 points and had a double-double by grabbing 12 rebounds. Brandi Humphrey and Irimar Hernandez each had 12 points, Wennica Foster added 11, and Jamie Walker finished with 10. Hernandez also dished out four assists.

The lead changed hands 10 times in the game, and was tied seven times. The Tigers won the battle of the boards, 39-35, but SAU scored 21 points off 20 UWA turnovers. Southern Arkansas finished with 10 turnovers in the game.

The Lady Muleriders rest up for a week before returning the favor Monday, December 4, and traveling to Livingston, Ala., to face West Alabama again.

#SAU#