Feb. 28, 2007
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - Fourth-seed Harding used a 17-3 run over the final 7:37 of the first half to take a 14-point halftime lead en route to an 86-62 win over fifth-seed West Florida Wednesday in the opening round of the Gulf South Conference Tournament at the DeSoto County Civic Center. West Florida (13-15) ends the season on a three-game losing streak, while Harding (19-9) advances to face top-seed Valdosta State tomorrow.
West Florida got off to a strong start as three-point field goals by Abena Bosia (Orlando, Fla./Columbus State) and Laura Davis (Spanish Fort, Ala./Univ. of Mobile) helped the Argonauts to an early 10-2 lead. But Harding used back-to-back three-point field goals to give the Lady Bisons a one-point lead midway through the first half. With the score tied at 24 with 7:37 remaining, Harding went on a 17-3 run to end the half. Catherine McMenamy scored 15 of the Lady Bisons 17 points during the run and finished with 20 first half points. West Florida was held without a field goal over the final 9:31 of the first half.
With Harding leading 43-29 early in the second half, West Florida went on a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to eight. However, the Argonauts would not get any closer as Harding immediately responded with a 13-4 run to build a 56-39 lead with 12:12 remaining. The 24-point margin equaled the Lady Bisons margin of victory in a 71-47 triumph over the Argonauts at the UWF Field House on Dec. 30.
Bosia posted her third double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds in her last West Florida game. Karmeshia Easley (Mobile, Ala./Spring Hill College) added 14 points and seven rebounds. Tara Russ (Lake Park, Fla./Kings Academy), who was named to the All-GSC Second Team yesterday, recorded 11 points and three blocks. McMenamy finished with a game-high 30 points. It was the most points scored by an opposing player against the Argonauts this season. Kelsea Lyda added 15 points off the bench. Harding shot 58 percent (11-19) from three-point territory.
With West Florida's season complete, several Argonauts entered the top 10 in the single-season record book. Bosia totaled 259 rebounds this season, which was the seventh-highest single-season total. Russ's 42 blocks also ranked seventh in a single-season. Davis's 67 three-point field goals were the second-highest single-season total.
