Southern Arkansa Rallies past West Florida

By: Houston Taylor

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Southern Arkansas overcame a nine-point second half deficit to rally past host West Florida, 55-52, Monday in the West Florida Holiday Classic at the UWF Fieldhouse.

Trailing 37-28 with 12:58 remaining, the Lady Muleriders put together a 14-5 run over a five minute span to knot it 42-42 at 7:54 in the game’s eighth tie. A jumper by senior guard Shanaye Davis evened it and senior center Crystal Kirk’s lay-up a minute later pushed SAU ahead for good as they rolled out to a 50-43 advantage with 3:55 left. Jessica Young’s lay-up pulled the Argonauts to within 52-50 at the two-minute mark, but Southern Arkansas hit five of six free throws down the stretch to seal the win. It was the Lady Muleriders’ (6-6) second three-point win over UWF (5-8) this season.

SAU held a 14-12 margin at 8:50 in the first, but West Florida pulled away for a 24-20 lead at the break. Neither team led by more than two points in the first half until Krissy Diggs and Tiffany Williams gave West Florida a 22-16 edge at 4:24. Southern Arkansas’ first half lead disappeared at 8:18 and they didn’t get back on top until Kirk’s lay-up at 6:59 of the second.

Junior guard Goldie White put up a game-high 17 points in leading the Lady Muleriders, and freshman center Kmaria Hobbs posted her fourth double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Kirk added 11 points and grabbed seven boards.

Both teams exhibited the effects of the holiday lay-off with poor shooting performances. SAU was 20 of 59 from the floor for 33.9 percent, including 5 of 16 (31.3) treys, while the Argos hit 21 of 65 (32.3) and 1 of 8 (12.5). Southern Arkansas was 10 of 15 (66.7) at the free throw line, while UWF connected on 9 of 11 (81.8).

Dominique Boykins was West Florida’s only player in double-figures, scoring 14 points, while Young pulled down an eye-popping 19 rebounds, including 11 offensive.

Behind Young, UWF held a 46-40 rebound advantage, but committed 18 turnovers to the Lady Muleriders’ 15.

SAU won a 70-67 decision over West Florida in the Delta State Margaret Wade Memorial Classic on November 22.

Southern Arkansas continues play in the Holiday Classic Tuesday, facing West Alabama at 4 p.m.