Feb. 3, 2007
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Coming into this season, West Florida had won seven straight over North Alabama. However, North Alabama has been able to turn around their fortunes this season. On Saturday at the UWF Field House, Tandra Inmon scored a game-high 25 points to lead North Alabama to a 71-65 win over West Florida. North Alabama (11-11, 4-3 GSC) earned a sweep of the season series. West Florida (10-12, 3-4 GSC) lost their second straight conference game.
With North Alabama leading 61-56 with 2:16 remaining in the game, Tiffany Scott (Port St. Lucie, Fla./Seminole CC) drained a three-point field goal to cut the deficit to two. But North Alabama's Chelsey Malone immediately responded with a three-pointer. After consecutive lay ups by Tara Russ (Lake Park, Fla./Kings Academy) cut the North Alabama lead to 64-63, Inmon drove to the basket and was fouled after finishing a lay up. North Alabama converted five free throws in the final minute to seal the win.
West Florida started the game on a 14-6 run over the first six minutes. But North Alabama responded with an 11-4 run, including a pair of three pointers by Malone, to cut the deficit to 18-17. West Florida eventually settled for a five-point halftime lead.
With West Florida leading 40-38 with 14:16 remaining in the game, North Alabama used a 7-0 run to grab a five-point lead. Both teams exchanged baskets for about five-and-a-half minutes before West Florida's final lead of the game, 55-54, with 4:41 remaining in the game.
Russ finished with a career-high 22 points. Her previous career-high had been 13 points, achieved three times this season. Bosia came off the bench to collect 11 points and six rebounds. West Florida shot 42 percent (26-61) from the field, but the Argonauts were only 52 percent (11-21) from the free throw line. Besides Inmon's 25 points, Jameica York added 15 points and seven rebounds for North Alabama. The Lions, who entered the game ranked 12th in the nation in free throw shooting, shot 89 percent (25-28) at the line.
West Florida will host Alabama-Huntsville on Monday at the UWF Field House. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. Follow the game with live statistics on the women's basketball page of www.goargos.com.
