West Alabama edges MC women’s basketball despite season-high turnovers

Livingston, Ala. — MC women’s basketball fell to West Alabama 69-62 in a Gulf South Conference game Thursday. The Choctaws are now 8-12 overall and 7-8 in the conference, while West Alabama improves to 10-9 and 8-8 in league play.

Four MC players scored in double figures, led by Nia Coleman and Vivian Sketoe with 13 points each. Mariam Olawoyin added 11 points, and Karly Ivy scored 10, marking her third straight game with at least 10 points. Channing Lane came off the bench to add a season-high eight points.

The Choctaws committed a season-high 34 turnovers but managed to convert 22 of those into points. West Alabama dominated in the paint, scoring 14 points there and shooting 66.7% from the field in the first half. The Tigers led 40-29 at halftime after converting 10 of 12 shots in the second quarter and scoring 14 points in the paint.

MC attempted a comeback in the second half. The team made six of seven free throws in the third quarter but struggled offensively, hitting only five of 18 shots overall, including a single three-pointer. Despite forcing 10 turnovers in the quarter, MC trailed by 12 entering the final period. The Choctaws outscored the Tigers 16-11 in the fourth, forcing nine more turnovers and scoring 14 points in the paint, but the deficit proved insurmountable.

Nailah Mayes led UWA with 27 points on a perfect 10-for-10 shooting, along with 12 rebounds. Callie Cowan contributed 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds. West Alabama snapped a five-game losing streak in the series and avenged an earlier loss in Clinton.

MC will return to action Saturday, Feb. 7, when it travels to Huntsville to face UAH. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.

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