Jan. 12, 2008
PENSACOLA, Fla. - With West Florida up 59-58, Amber Rutherford hit a 15 foot jumper with four seconds remaining to give the Lions a come from behind win over the Argos. Rutherford scored a game high 25 points to give West Florida a loss to start conference play. Laura Davis led the Argonauts with 13 points and her three pointer put West Florida up 59-53 with 2:23 to play; however, the Lions scored the final seven points to win the game.
The Argonauts raced out to an 11-3 following a lay-up by Tara Russ. Then, with 4:49 left in the first half, West Florida had its biggest lead of 17 points, at 30-13 following a Dominique Boykins basket. However, the Lions roared, and outscored the Argos 14-2 to finish the first half. Tara Russ led the Argos in the first half with eight points, while Brianna Abrams matched that with eight for the Lions in the first half. The first half ended with the Argos up 32-27.
The second half was close throughout, as the Lions stayed close and finally tied the score at 44, and then took their first lead at 45-44 on a Rutherford free throw. West Florida took the lead again on an old fashioned three point play by Boykins. After she converted the free throw, West Florida was up 54-51. After a North Alabama basket, Samantha Schlaegel put the Argos up 56-53 on a lay-up after she picked up a loose ball.
After Davis connected on a three pointer to put UWF back up by six, the Lions answered with a three pointer by Kierra McCleary. Then, the Argos were called for an offensive foul, and Rutherford hit a jumper to get the Lions within one, and moments later, she hit the game winner with four seconds left, following a missed free throw by Davis.
Samantha Schlaegel led West Florida on the boards, with 11 rebounds. Dominique Boykins scored 11 points, while Chelsea Patterson chipped in with nine points, and Tara Russ added eight points. West Florida (7-9, 0-1 GSC) was outrebounded by the Lions 40-36. West Florida had a 17 point lead, but two starters rested much of last part of the first half, and North Alabama stole the momentum, with a 14-2 run, and from that point on, the game was extremely even. North Alabama improved to 7-7 on the season, and 1-0 in conference play.
The Argos will travel to Alabama Huntsville for their next game, and continue the road trip to West Georgia. The next home game is January 26th, when Montevallo comes to town for a 4:30 pm tip off. All conference games will be broadcast on Stretch Internet. Check the stretch Internet link on the right column of the UWF Athletics Home page.
