Dec. 16, 2006
PENSACOLA, Fla. - A poor start by West Florida (7-5) against the NAIAâ€TMs 28th ranked Loyola-New Orleans (6-4) proved to be the difference maker, as the Wolfpack handed the Argonauts their first home loss of the season in convincing fashion, 64-50. Loyola led the entire way, and UWF will have until Friday, Dec. 29 when they host Southern Arkansas, to mull over their most disappointing loss of the season.
The Argos never rebounded from a dreadful start. The Wolfpack enjoyed a 13-2 lead just over seven minutes into the game. Loyola led by as many as 14 points in the first half at 23-9 with 6:44 left to play. West Florida cut the lead to seven by going on a 10-3 run. However, Dani Holland scored the last seven points of the half for Loyola to give the Wolfpack a 33-21 lead at the break.
Loyola led by as many as 16 points in the second half. West Florida chipped away at the deficit, and finally got to within single digits with 10:00 minutes left to play at 48-39. Abena Bosiaâ€TMs (Orlando, Fla./Columbus State) three-pointer reduced the lead to six at the 8:16 mark, 48-42. The two teams traded buckets for the next four minutes and Loyola led 56-50 with 4:04 left on the clock. Tara Russâ€TMs (Lake Park, Fla./Kings Academy) lay-up to cut the lead to six proved to be the final points of the game for UWF, as the Argos went the final four minutes of the game without scoring a single point.
Russ led UWF with 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting. She added five rebounds, four blocks and four steals. Karmeshia Easley (Mobile, Ala./Spring Hill) and Dominique Boykins (Houston/North Shore HS) each contributed with eight points off the bench. Boykins played just 10 minutes. Heather George (Belvidere, Tenn./Gadsden State CC) added five points, nine rebounds and seven assists. The Argos were just 5-for-9 from the line and the Wolfpack were16-for-22.
Todayâ€TMs game was their first since last Saturdayâ€TMs win at Florida Memorial. Loyolaâ€TMs last game was on Dec. 2, when they defeated Campbellsville.
West Florida prepares for the UWF Holiday Classic on Dec. 19-30, when the Argos host Southern Arkansas on Friday, Dec. 29 at 3 pm and Harding on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 3 pm. Listen to both games live on AM 1620 or at sportsjuice.com.
