West Florida edges MC women’s basketball in close Gulf South Conference game
The MC women’s basketball team fell to West Florida 76-71 in a tightly contested Gulf South Conference matchup in Pensacola, Florida. The game featured seven lead changes and seven ties, with the Choctaws (4-9, 3-5 GSC) holding a 49-34 rebounding advantage, including 20 offensive boards. Despite their dominance on the boards, MC could not overcome West Florida’s 24 points from free throws, according to sources.
MC set a season-high with 49 rebounds, the fifth time this season they have surpassed 40 boards. Their previous best was 43 against Union University on Dec. 6. Nia Coleman led MC with 15 points and a career-high tying nine rebounds. Valencia McFall also scored 15 points and posted a career-best 12 rebounds, including 11 defensive boards and three steals. It was her third double-double of the season, sources said.
The game opened with both teams trading baskets. Keller Bigham scored MC’s first points with a layup at 7:58, but West Florida responded with a layup and free throw from Amelia Bell. Carmen Jones hit a three-pointer at 6:23, giving UWF a 6-4 lead. Vivian Sketoe’s three pulled MC within one point at 2:03. Karly Ivy’s jumper cut the deficit to 17-16, but Isabel Grimes’ free throws with 17 seconds left in the quarter kept West Florida ahead, 17-16.
The second quarter was back-and-forth, with both teams exchanging leads. Avery O’Connor’s three extended UWF’s lead at 9:02, but Abigail Winslow responded with consecutive layups to tie the game at 20. Finley Kennedy’s free throws with 19 seconds remaining gave West Florida a 37-32 halftime lead, according to reports.
In the third quarter, McFall sparked MC’s rally with an early layup and a jumper to cut their deficit to 37-36. She later added another layup at 8:05, giving MC their first lead of the quarter at 38-37. Gabby Collier’s three-pointer at 3:14 pushed UWF ahead 49-45, but West Florida’s Janai Jordan and Kennedy responded with key points, including Kennedy’s three at 2:01. Jakeria Hawkins closed the quarter with two free throws, leaving UWF ahead 55-52.
In the final quarter, Coleman’s tip-in and free throw at 8:51 tied the game at 57-57. West Florida responded with a layup and free throw from Grimes, extending their lead to 62-57 at 8:17. Despite MC’s efforts, including a late three from Coleman assisted by Sketoe, West Florida held on. Hawkins sealed the win with two free throws at 14 seconds, finalizing a 76-71 victory, according to game reports.
Grimes led West Florida with 17 points, hitting five of 13 from the field and making two three-pointers. O’Connor contributed nine points and eight rebounds, while Hawkins scored 11 points with perfect free throw shooting. MC returns to action Jan. 8 against Lee University at A.E. Coliseum, tip-off set for 5:30 p.m., sources said.
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