Lady Lions lose two games in Monticello event

Arts and EntertainmentFort SmithNews on the Wire

by The City Wire staff ([email protected]) November 21, 2009 6:16 pm 72 views 

Editor’s note: Story by Jonathan Gipson, sports information director for the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.

MONTICELLO, Ark. – Too little, too late.

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Lady Lions rallied from an 18-point, second-half deficit Saturday afternoon but couldn’t overtake host University of Arkansas at Monticello, losing 88-81 during the final day of the third annual Dr. Mary Jane Gilbert Classic at Steelman Fieldhouse.

UAFS (0-2) lost its classic opener 66-64 to Southern Arkansas on Friday night in what was the season opener for the Lady Lions.

The Lady Lions lost despite shooting a sizzling 56 percent from the field (29 of 52), but they still struggled at the line, hitting only 58 percent (18 of 31). The Lady Lions also committed a season-high 29 turnovers and were out-rebounded 39-34.

Sophomore Tracey Parsons of Trenton, N.J., had 20 points to lead the Lady Lions, who trailed 52-40 at halftime. Freshman Lyndsey Bockelman of Fort Smith had 12 points and 10 rebounds, while junior Vasha Sanders of Little Rock, Ark., and junior Ashley Arnold of Mountainburg, Ark., had 14 and 12 points, respectively.

SAU DEFEAT
The Southern Arkansas Lady Muleriders spoiled the NCAA Division II basketball debut for UA Fort Smith on Friday night, beating the Lady Lions 66-64 during the opening night of the classic.

The Lady Lions stayed within striking distance of the Lady Muleriders for most of the first half before Southern Arkansas pulled away late in building a double-digit lead. Southern Arkansas led 37-26 at halftime.

UAFS trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half before rallying to tie the game at 60 points with 2:50 left on a layup by Parsons. UAFS again tied the game at 62 points on jumper by junior Janae’ Hendreson of Orange, Texas, with 1:23 left.

Southern Arkansas regained the lead, but UA Fort Smith tied it again at 64 with under 10 seconds to play. The Lady Muleriders regained the lead on a pair of free throws with 6.4 seconds left, but the Lady Lions had one last shot attempt. Junior Monica Spearman had a shot at the buzzer that was off the mark.

Sanders led the Lady Lions with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Arnold chipped in 12 points.