UWF's comeback bid falls short

Freshman Sabrina Stambouli’s potential game-tying three-pointer bounced out with three seconds left, as the West Florida women’s basketball team’s comeback bid fell short in a 64-69 loss at West Alabama on Wednesday.  UWF fell to 12-9 overall and 3-3 in Gulf South Conference play, as the Tigers improved to 6-16, 3-3 with the win.

Senior forward Dominique Boykins (Houston, Texas/North Shore HS) had a strong game for the Argonauts, scoring 16 points with seven rebounds to lead the team.  Senior guard Amy Drake added 15 points and seven assists, and Stambouli scored 11 off the bench.

West Alabama started the night shooting well, as they finished the first half 16-32 (50 percent) from the field.  The game was close early on, as the teams traded leads through the first 10 minutes.  A pair of free throws by Keaundrea Merriewether gave UWF a one point lead at 16-15 with 9:26 left in the half, but UWA pulled away with a 9-0 run to take an eight point lead.  The Argos battled back into the game, narrowing the Tigers’ lead to two on an Amy Drake jumper, but UWA went on a 9-2 run to take a nine-point lead into halftime.

The Argos turned things around in the second half, out-scoring UWA 38-34 and shooting 16-32 (50 percent) from the field.  The Tigers kept UWF from striking distance for much of the second half, as the Argos trailed by six or more points for the first 10 minutes.  A three by junior Lauren Fagler and a basket by senior Tiffany Williams  narrowed the UWA lead to three with 8:41 to go, and the Argos stayed close the rest of the way, getting as close as two points on a Drake basket with 4:00 to go.

Down by three with seconds left, Stambouli was UWF’s last hope, and her three from the right side bounced out.  The Argos were forced to foul, and Dakota Powell converted both free throws, clinching the 69-64 victory for West Alabama.

The teams finished nearly identical in shooting despite their varied success in the first and second halves, as UWA finished 24-57 (42.1 percent) and UWF was 26-62 (41.9 percent).  West Alabama held a 39-35 rebound advantage, led by guard Qweeta Ward with nine rebounds.

Larrenda Rockwell scored 14 off the bench for UWA while shooting 6-8 from the field, and Keiara Middleton added 13 and five rebounds.

UWF will finish the road trip today at Alabama-Huntsville, and tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.