[December 4, 2006]

LIVINGSTON, Ala. - Any hopes for a repeat win for Southern Arkansas University went out the window Monday when the University of West Alabama rolled past the Lady Muleriders, 67-54, to avenge a 77-67 loss to SAU in Magnolia last Tuesday. The win improves the Tigers to 5-2, while Southern Arkansas falls to 1-6.

Both teams battled back and forth for most of the first half with neither team gaining momentum. A three-pointer by Stefanie White gave the Lady Muleriders a 3-0 lead, but a lay-up by Brandi Humphrey and a jumper by Irimar Hernandez put UWA back on top at 4-3. Wennica Foster’s free throw put West Alabama up by five points, 24-19, with 4:53 remaining in the half. The Tigers scored four unanswered points during the last 43 seconds to stretch the lead to eight, 31-23, at halftime.

Southern Arkansas cut the UWA lead down to six points, 41-35, on a three-pointer by Kristina Gardner at the 11:29 mark in the second half, but that was as close as the Lady Muleriders would get. The balance of power quickly shifted back to West Alabama as they went on a 7-0 run, and eventually led by as much as 16, 64-48, with 2:35 remaining, before claiming the 67-54 win.

Jamie Walker led the Tigers with a game-high 17 points on seven of 11 from the field and three of six at the free throw line. She also shared game-high rebound honors with teammate Ashton Washington, each pulling down 12 boards, Walker with eight offensive. Kotreece Bender added 14 points, and Jessica Thompson chipped in 10. Hernandez dished out seven assists.

Stefanie White scored 12 points for SAU on four of 10 shooting, including two of four treys, and hit both free throws. She also had a team-high five rebounds. Brooke Grigsby and Goldie White finished with 10 points apiece. Grigsby and Goldie White served up three assists each, and Grigsby had five steals.

UWA shot 41.7 percent (25-60) from the field, 38.5 percent (5-13) from three-point range, and 66.7 percent (12-18) at the charity stripe.

Southern Arkansas didn’t shoot the ball as well as in Magnolia, hitting only 18 of 50 for 36 percent, including seven of 25 on threes for 28 percent, and a pitiful 11 of 23 from the free throw line for 47.8 percent.

West Alabama picked up 43 rebounds to the Lady Muleriders’ 33, and committed only 14 turnovers to 21 for SAU. The game was easily won by depth, with the Tigers outscoring Southern Arkansas, 43-8, off the bench.

It doesn’t get easier for Southern Arkansas. The Lady Muleriders travel to Monroe Saturday to face NCAA Division I University of Louisiana at Monroe. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

#SAU#