UWA women fall to Miles

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After trailing for the majority of the game, Miles College called on Ashley Steger and she nailed a pair of free throws with 7.1 seconds left to ice away a 59-56 women’s college basketball victory over West Alabama Monday at Bill Harris Arena.

The loss was the first for the Tigers, who dropped to 2-1. The Golden Bears improved to 3-1 with the win.

West Alabama led by as many as 10 points late in the first half and took a 31-27 advantage to the half.

Miles refused to go away and reclaimed the lead with 2:53 left to play when Wendy Miller converted an old-fashioned three-point play to give the Golden Bears the lead for good at 54-52.

Shameika Hart hit a runner in the paint to pull UWA to within one (57-56) with 29 seconds left, but the Tigers failed to get another shot off even after getting the ball with 15.7 on the alternate possession rule. Eight seconds later UWA gave the ball back on a traveling call.

“We took bad shots, we didn’t take care of the ball and we didn’t rebound the defensive boards,” UWA head coach Craig Roden said. “Still, with 15 seconds left we make a great defensive play to get the ball with a chance to win, but don’t get a shot off.”

Miles outrebounded the Tigers 41-37, including getting 15 offensive boards. A 75 percent free throw shooting team, UWA managed just 60 percent (14-of-23) against the Golden Bears.

Quentinette Odom led all scorers with 16 points for UWA. Malaka Johnson rounded out double figure scoring with 12. Johnson and Odom both collected six rebounds.

Steger scored 13 points to lead Miles, while Ali Samirah chipped in 10. Tiffany Stephens grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.

The Tigers travel to Montevallo on Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. tip off.