UWA women’s win streak snapped on road
Published 10:35 am Friday, January 18, 2013
CLEVELAND, Miss. – Seneca Wallace scored 15 points and collected 23 rebounds to lead Delta State to a 58-32 Gulf South Conference women’s basketball victory over West Alabama Thursday at Sillers Coliseum.
The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the short-handed Tigers and dropped UWA to 8-6 overall, 3-3 in the GSC. The Lady Statesmen improved to 9-5 and 4-2.
The Tigers played without injured starters Brittany Weathers (foot) and Jamie Gunter (knee). Weathers leads the GSC in scoring at 22.4 points per game and Gunter averages 10.6 points and 5.5 rebounds.
Even with an average of 32 points and 12 rebounds sitting this one out in street clothes, Tiger coach Craig Roden refused to blame the lopsided loss on a lack of depth or the absence of Weathers and Gunter.
“Delta State was better than us tonight and I didn’t do a good job earlier in the week getting us ready,” Roden said. “I was more concerned about the injuries and should have been more concerned with the players who are healthy and getting them the proper amount of repetitions.
“One thing I learned a long time ago from Coach Ed Murphy is you have to put the good wins behind you and you have to put the tough losses behind you as well,” Roden said. “We will go back to work tomorrow afternoon and get ready for Christian Brothers on Saturday.”
A stingy Delta State defense allowed UWA to shoot just 20-percent from the floor (12-of-59), just 14 percent in the first half. The Lady Statesmen, who outrebounded the Tigers 51-38, led 32-11 at the break.
Chelsey Rhodes was the only other Lady Statesmen player in double figures with 14 points. Rhandi Ball had eight points and eight rebounds.
Nikki Jordan scored 14 points to lead UWA and was the only Tiger to score in double figures.
West Alabama visits Christian Brothers Saturday in Memphis. Tipoff is 2 p.m. Delta State continues its homestand by hosting West Georgia.