The Lady Flames were defeated for the second time this season as host University of West Florida fought off a Lee comeback attempt to record the 58-52 Gulf South Conference (GSC) win.
“We are going to have to grow up right away and learn how to win on the road,” said Lee head coach Marty Rowe. “Many of our key players are seeing the level of competition this conference has to offer for the first time.”
Lee (5-2, 2-2 GSC) was led by Emileigh Swafford’s 20-point performance. The freshman hit two 3-pointers and was 8-for-9 from the free throw line.
Erin Walsh added nine points and five rebounds in the loss. Alex Swope and Shelby Brown each threw in six markers. Swope also dished out five assists, while Brown pulled down a team-high eight boards.
West Florida (7-1, 4-0 GSC) received a double-double effort from Toni Brewer. Brewer tallied 10 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Katie Bobos equaled Brewer with 11 rebounds and added seven markers to the total.
Jasmine Wigfall was 5-for-7 at the line on her way to 11 points and four assists. Brianna Williams was the assist leader with six. Williams also tallied eight points and six rebounds.
Lee held a slim 54-53 edge in the rebounding battle, but the big difference was at the free throw line. The Lady Flames made 13-of-18 shots from the line, while UWF took 36 trips to the charity stripe and connected 25 times.
West Florida jumped out to a 24-8 lead with three minutes to go in the first half and held a 26-13 margin at the halftime break. The Lady Flames were held to 5-for-35 (.143) shooting in the first half. UWF was 8-for-29 (.276) in the opening period.
“They set the tone early with their physical play,” admitted Rowe. “They were very well prepared for us and had us going backwards for most of the first half. They took it to us and, unfortunately, we had to learn a tough lesson today.”
For the game, Lee improved its shooting to 25 percent (17-for-68) and West Florida cooled to 23.8 percent (15-of-63). The Lady Flames made 5-of-24 (.208) shots from beyond the arc and the Argonauts were 3-for-11 (.273) from distance.
Lee used a 16-3 run at the start the second half to even the score at 29-29 with 14:57 left on the clock. The Argos scored the next seven points and 13-of-15 over the following four minutes to take a 42-31 lead. The Lady Flames would cut into the deficit, but were unable to get any closer than six points.
The Lady Flames return to Paul Dana Walker Arena for the next four games, starting on Dec. 18 when North Alabama makes the trip. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
“It will be a little change for us going from the physicality of West Florida to facing what is probably the most athletic team in the GSC,” said Rowe. “It is important that we continue to protect our home court.”