Jan. 21, 2006
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Melissa Nafzger posted her fourth straight double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds to help lift West Florida to a 74-56 win Saturday at the UWF Field House. The win was West Florida's eighth straight win and seventh consecutive victory against Montevallo. West Florida improves to 14-3, 5-0 in the Gulf South Conference. Montevallo falls to 6-12, 2-3 in the GSC.
Jennifer Hendricks got Montevallo off to a quick start by hitting consecutive three-pointers to give the Lady Falcons a 6-0 lead. But West Florida immediately responded with a 21-2 run in just over six minutes. Seven different Argonauts scored during the run. West Florida eventually built a 15-point advantage before Montevallo trimmed the deficit to eight with 1:22 remaining in the half. After Jessie Ivey drained one of her three three-pointers, Elisa Hardy recorded a steal and made the two ensuing free throws to give West Florida a 37-24 halftime lead.
Similar to the start of the first half, Courtney Shields hit two three-pointers to begin the second half for Montevallo. An 8-0 run by the Lady Falcons cut the deficit to six, while West Florida did not post their first field goal of the half until a Michelle Gibson three-pointer at the 15:40 mark. Gibson's basket started a 15-5 run that increased the West Florida lead to 58-39. Montevallo was unable to cut the lead into single-figures as West Florida earned their 16th consecutive win at home against Gulf South Conference opponents.
Along with her double-double, Nafzger added five blocks, four assists and three steals. In her last four games, Nafzger is averaging 12.2 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 6.2 blocks per game. Erin Vierling recorded her 11th straight double-figure scoring game with 17 points. Gibson added 13 points and five rebounds, while Heather George collected seven points and six rebounds. Hendricks led Montevallo with 13 points.
West Florida will put their eight-game winning streak on the line this Monday when they host the University of West Alabama. Tip-off at the UWF Field House is scheduled for 5:30 pm.
