Feb. 25, 2006
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Playing in her final game at the UWF Field House, Lyndsay Munro scored a season-high 20 points off the bench to lead West Florida to a key 57-54 triumph over Valdosta State Saturday on Senior Day. West Florida avenged a 64-57 loss at Valdosta State earlier this season. West Florida, the GSC East Division champions, head into next week's conference tournament at 21-5, 12-2 in the GSC. Valdosta State falls to 17-9, 8-6 in the GSC.
With 1:08 remaining in the game, West Florida led by six before two Nichole Jernigan free throws cut the deficit to four. After Ann Ching made a free throw, Valdosta State's Ewelina Gad cut the Argonaut lead to three. Erin Vierling missed two free throws to keep hope alive for Valdosta State. But Jernigan and Candice Ferrell missed game-tying three-point opportunities in the final 20 seconds, and West Florida held on for the win. It was the Argonauts 20th consecutive victory against a conference opponent at the UWF Field House.
The first half was a defensive struggle as both teams struggled to score. After a Melissa Nafzger lay-up gave the Argonauts an 8-7 lead, Valdosta State went on a 9-0 run to open up an eight point advantage. West Florida only scored seven points at the free throw line over the next 11 minutes. Munro's field goal at the 4:11 mark ended a streak of 12 missed field goals. Munro scored six of the Argonauts final eight points of the first half as Valdosta State nursed a 25-23 lead at halftime.
West Florida led by four early in the second half before Valdosta State used an 8-0 run to open a 35-29 advantage. But Munro helped lead a West Florida charge by scoring five straight points in just over 1:20 to put the Argonauts ahead by two. After a Ferrell lay up gave Valdosta State a one-point lead, Munro responded once again by converting a three-point play. She added two more free throws on the ensuing possession to give West Florida a 52-48 lead. Munro finished the game eight-for-eight from the free throw line.
Munro's 20 points were one point shy of her career-high. She also added six rebounds and three blocks. Michelle Gibson, also playing in her last regular season game, added 13 points. Fellow senior Erin Vierling just missed her 20th consecutive game of scoring in double-figures with nine points. She also added six rebounds. Senior Melissa Nafzger pulled down seven rebounds. Candice Ferrell led Valdosta State with a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds.
West Florida has the number one seed out of the GSC East for next week's GSC Tournament in Tupelo, Miss. The Argonauts will play on Thur., Mar. 2, at 5:30 against the winner of the game featuring GSC East fifth seed West Alabama and a yet-to-be determined opponent. West Florida is looking for their first tournament victory since 2001 and their first GSC title.
