Nov. 20, 2007
PENSACOLA, Fla. - In a thrilling game in which the lead toggled back and forth throughout, the Argos took control with 1:38 left in overtime, when Laura Davis hit the go-ahead jumper off a pass from Samantha Schlaegel. Then Karmeshia Easley stole the ball, and scored to put UWF up 72-68. A jumper by Sherri McIntosh closed the score to 72-70 with 59 seconds left in overtime. Tara Russ then scored with 24 seconds left to conclude the scoring, and the win for the Argonauts, who improved to 2-1 on the season.
Freshman guard Chelsea Patterson led all scorers with 27 points, while Sophomore Dominique Boykins tallied 15 points and 10 rebounds. Schlaegel was outstanding, coming off the bench, to score 12 points, grab seven rebounds, and dish out seven assists. Schlaegel's biggest assist came as she was falling out of bounds, but was able to find Davis for the go-ahead basket. Mobile (2-5) was led by Danielle Goodly with 19 points.
Coach Shannan Bergen was pleased with the win, as she stated, "This is where you expect a team, with three Seniors on the floor, a veteran ballclub, to step up. Laura Davis hit a big shot and Tara Russ also hit a big basket down the stretch. Our defense also made a couple of key stops late in the game."
The Argos trailed much of the first half, and were down as much as seven points at 19-12, but climbed back into the game, and took their first lead since the opening minute, at 25-23 after a layup by Schlaegel off a pass from Patterson. Schlaegel would then hit a three pointer at the buzzer to give the Argos a 34-31 halftime lead. Throughout the second half, the game was tied seven different times, and finally the Argos went up by six at 63-57, but two quick Mobile baskets by Jenni Washington and Sherri McIntosh, and two free throws by Goodly tied the game again at 63. Patterson then scored on an old fashioned three point play driving to the hoop, but Goodly answered with a long three pointer and the half would end in a tie at 66.
The Argonauts would outscore Mobile 8-4 in overtime, as the Seniors came up big. Senior super subs Davis and Schlaegel came off the bench to provide a combined 20 points, nine rebounds, and four steals. Davis once played for Mobile, before transferring to UWF prior to her sophomore year, and she commented on the win. "It felt really good. We haven't beaten Mobile since I've been on the team, so it felt good. I couldn't have made that shot if Sam (Schlaegel) hadn't passed the ball inbounds. It all came down to teamwork."
Schaegel was extremely happy to contribute to the win, "We play with a lot of excitement and teamwork, as well as heart, every time we step on the floor. I think my experience and leadership can help the team." Schlaegel was also asked about the highlights of the game, and she responded, "When I took two defensive charges and the three-pointer I made before halftime, because it really got the team going."
Teamwork seemed to be the stressed point for the Argonauts, as Patterson also commented, "It's all teamwork and hard work. Without my teammates, I would not have had the steals that I had. Teamwork pays off, especially on defense." Coach Bergen also was talking teamwork, as she discussed Patterson's play. "She is a tremendous offensive player. I was impressed with her four steals defensively, and how she includes her teammates in the offense. She is a gamer."
Coach Bergen also thought the Argos needed to work on a few things as they prepare for the remainder of the schedule. "We still need to take care of the ball better. We haven't beaten Mobile in three years. They are very physical and throw a lot of defensive schemes at us. Playing Mobile is good for our ball club. We stepped up and got the win. We allowed too many offensive rebounds, and had too many turnovers. Mobile is a tough NAIA school, and playing the way we did in overtime, helps make us tougher and we did a good job of grinding it out." The Argos go on the road to take on Arkansas Tech and Ouachita Baptist in a Thanksgiving tournament in Russellville, Arkansas. West Florida will return home to host Albany State next Tuesday at 5:30 pm.
