Jan. 3, 2007

Final Stats

LIVINGSTON, Ala.--West Alabama's Ashton Washington had 16 points and 19 rebounds to carry the Lady Tigers to a 60-51 victory over Christian Brothers University Wednesday afternoon in the Lady Bucs' final game before Gulf South Conference West Division play.

Defenses dominated the day on both sides as West Alabama (10-3) managed to win despite shooting just 29.4 percent (20-of-68) from the floor. The Lady Bucs (7-5) weren't much better, shooting 36.4 percent (20-of-55). UWA grabbed 19 offensive rebounds and forced 19 CBU turnovers.

UWA opened the game with six straight points, as they never trailed. Three-pointers by Ashley Besinger (Southaven, Miss./Southaven HS) and Erin Nigh (Morristown, Ind./Morristown HS) cut the lead to one at 8-7 and 18-17, but an 11-0 UWA run after Nigh's three-pointer gave UWA a 29-17 lead just before halftime and the Lady Bucs never came closer than six points again.

Sophomore forward Crystal Shelton (Nashville, Tenn./Hume-Fogg HS) posted her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 13 rebounds, leading the Lady Bucs in both categories. Besinger added nine off the bench and Nigh scored eight.

Irimar Hernandez scored 11 points for UWA, while Wennica Foster scored 10.

The Lady Bucs will return to the court Saturday night at Southern Arkansas in the GSC West opener for both schools. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. The Lady Bucs' first GSC West home game will be Thursday, Jan. 11, against Arkansas Tech at 5 p.m.