West Alabama women fall to UWF

PENSACOLA, Fla. – West Florida used an 18-0 run to open the second half on the way to a 72-45 Gulf South Conference women’s basketball victory over West Alabama Monday at the UWF Field House.

The victory improved West Florida to 7-3 overall and 2-2 in GSC play. West Alabama remained winless on the road in six tries, dropping to 3-8 overall and 0-5 in the conference.

“We battled early, played well and gave ourselves a chance in the first half,” UWA head coach Craig Roden said. “We played into their hands in the second half when they pressured us coming out of the half.”

West Florida led 28-26 at the break, but outscored the Tigers 32-5 in the first 13 minutes of the second half.

“We handled the pressure well as far as not turning it over in the second half, but they forced us to pick up the pace and we are not as good when we go fast,” Roden said. “We need to simulate what we did in the first half going forward.

“What happened in the second half is fixable,” Roden said. “We have to learn to get through pressure and maintain the pace where we can play under control.”

West Florida had five players score in double figures, led by Jenny Menz with 16 points and seven rebounds. Tessah Holt scored 11 points while Raquel Miller, Jasmine Wigfall and Katie Bobos all chipped in 10.

Kelcia Bufkin scored a career-high 12 points to led West Alabama. Shameika Hart contributed 11 points. Jasmine Hampton led Tiger rebounders with eight.

The Tigers close a three-game road swing at West Georgia on Thursday. West Florida travels to Union, also Thursday.