[December 30, 2006]

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Southern Arkansas University centers Kim Davis and Kayla Jones combined for 37 points and 27 rebounds Saturday in the West Florida Holiday Classic, leading the Lady Muleriders to a 67-52 win over the University of North Alabama at the West Florida Fieldhouse.

Davis, a senior, recorded her third consecutive double-double in as many games since joining the team at the semester break, finishing with 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Jones, a freshman, picked up her career first (14 points, 13 rebounds) in lifting SAU (3-8) past the Lions (6-8). Southern Arkansas defeated West Florida, 56-53, on Friday to win the Classic with a 2-0 mark. UNA had ended Harding’s seven-game winning streak Friday with a 77-72 overtime win. Both Davis and Jones were selected to the All-Classic Team, with Davis being named the MVP.

North Alabama had no answer for the Lady Mulerider inside tandem, posting a short 3-2 lead before the duo took control. SAU got 15 combined points and rebounds from the two in building a 26-15 first half advantage before the Lions went on a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to 28-25 at the half.

That was short-lived, however, as Southern Arkansas rattled off a 17-4 spree in the first 5:21 of the second stanza to take a commanding 45-29 advantage. The lead would never fall below double-digits again with the Lady Muleriders eventually holding a 17-point margin twice, the last with 21 ticks left, 66-49. Brooke Grigsby’s free throw with six seconds remaining provided the final margin, and win.

SAU’s inside game has made a vast improvement since Davis’ return, relying less on outside shots and eating up the boards. Southern Arkansas outscored UNA, 32-22, in the middle, and got 25 second chance points to only five for North Alabama. The Lady Muleriders clobbered their opponent on the boards, 49-31, with 21 coming on the offensive end.

The SAU defense held the Lions to only 34 percent (17-50) shooting, including only four of 19 three-pointers for 21.1 percent. Southern Arkansas hit 26 of 63 for 41.3 percent, and was three of 11 beyond the arc for 27.3 percent. The Lady Muleriders were just 12 of 20 at the free throw line for 60 percent, while UNA knocked down 14 of 20 for 70 percent.

Davis was nine of 14 from the field, and hit her only three attempt and all four free throws in totaling her scoring. She’s now five of seven on three’s for the season and shooting at a 65.8 percent clip. Jones was six of 12 from the floor and two of six at the charity stripe. Davis had eight offensive boards, while Jones had six. Grigsby chipped in 12 points and was stingy on defense with a game-high five steals. Goldie White dished out a game-high four assists.

Amber Rutherford was the only player in double-figures for North Alabama with 10 points, and also grabbed eight rebounds. Jameica York and Tandra Inmon each finished with nine points.

SAU gets a seven-day break now before starting Gulf South Conference play next Saturday, hosting Christian Brothers in a 5:30 p.m. tip-off at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center. It will be the first home game for Southern Arkansas since December 18.

#SAU#