FORT SMITH - UAFS won its seventh game in a row on Saturday as the Lady Lions won a low-scoring, defensive game 50-35 against the St. Mary’s Lady Rattlers at the Stubblefield Center.
UAFS (13-6, 6-1) finished the first round of conference play in second place and is one game behind conference leader and No. 3-ranked Lubbock Christian (17-1, 6-0). St. Mary’s (9-11, 3-4) is tied for fifth place.
The Lady Lions shot just 37 percent from the field (21 of 57) – they were only 5-of-14 shooting from 3-point range – and shot just 33 percent from the free-throw line (3 of 9). Sophomore guard Micayla Haynes was the only Lady Lion to score in double-figures, making three 3-pointers and finishing with 13 points.
UAFS was out-rebounded by St. Mary’s by eight rebounds (47-39). Sophomore forward Tamera Gulley led the Lady Lions with nine rebounds and was one of four Lady Lions with four or more rebounds.
The Lady Lions held the Lady Rattlers to just 26-percent shooting from the field (15 of 58) – St. Mary’s was 0-of-8 shooting from 3-point range – and shot just 50 percent from the field (5 of 10).
UAFS also forced 25 St. Mary’s turnovers that led to 18 points. Junior guard Mariah Green had four of the Lady Lions’ 16 steals.
Guard Arysia Porter led the Lady Rattlers, who trailed 20-14 at halftime, with 10 points. Post Audrey Wandji and guard Soteria Banks each had a team-high nine rebounds.
WOMEN
UAFS 50, ST. MARY’S 35
St. Mary’s 6 8 10 11 — 35
UAFS 15 5 17 13 — 50
St. Mary’s (9-11, 3-4): Porter 10, Wilson 8, Banks 8, Marquez 4, Torres 3, Mason 2
UAFS (13-6, 6-1): Haynes 13, Taylor 8, Williams 8, Gulley 6, Elkins 4, Oliver 3, D. Brown 3, A. Brown 2, Lehne 1
