UWF Embraces Underdog Angle at GSC Tournament :: West Florida squares off with Harding in opening round.

Feb. 27, 2007

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - For the fourth consecutive season, West Florida (13-14, 6-6) has qualified for the GSC Tournament. As the No. 5 seed from the east division, UWF will play the No. 4 seed from the west division, Harding (18-9, 8-6) on Wednesday at 12:30 pm at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, Miss.

West Florida won the east division last year, and in 2005 and 2004 they finished second in the east. This year the argos finished fifth in the east, and will need to play in the opening round. The top three teams from each division get an opening round bye. The top five teams from each division qualify for the conference tournament.

West Florida and Harding will meet for the second time this season. Harding defeated West Florida, 71-47, in Pensacola on Dec. 30. Jasmine McClindon led all scorers with 23 points. The Bisons shot 40.6 percent from the field, including 10 three-pointers. The Argonauts were led by Tara Russ, who had 13 points and 13 rebounds. West Florida shot just 27.1 percent, and 3-for-19 from three-point range.

West Florida lost their last game of the regular season on Saturday at Valdosta State, 50-46. If the Argos had defeated Valdosta State they would have been a three seed. Harding won their final regular season game at home against Christian Brothers on Saturday, 71-58.

Russ leads UWF with 9.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Laura Davis averages 9.8 points per game. She has hit 67 three's, which is third best in the conference, and she shoots at a 45.3 percentage, which is first. In conference games, Dominique Boykins averages 10.3 points per contest.

Harding is led by Catherine McMenamy who averages 12.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Lyda Kelsea averages 11.7 points per contest. Harding has the highest scoring offense in the conference at 72 points per game. West Florida is 12th at 60.8 points. The Argos defense is sixth best in the conference. They allow 59.5 points. The Bisons are 12th in defense. They allow 66.5 points.

Listen to the live audio and watch live stats at goargos.com.