Lady Lions fall to No. 20 Drury University
by December 2, 2009 7:53 am 64 views
Editor’s note: Story by Jonathan Gipson, sports information director for the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Four players scored in double-figures for the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith on Tuesday night, but the Lady Lions’ gutsy second-half rally fell just short as Drury University pulled away for an 81-63 win at Weiser Gym.
It was the last of six consecutive road games to start the season for the Lady Lions, who are making their NCAA Division II debut. The Lady Lions will play their first home game on Tuesday at 6 p.m. when they host UA Monticello at the Stubblefield Center.
UAFS trailed by 26 points with 13:49 left in the second half but rallied to get within 15 points three times in the final 10 minutes – the last time coming on a layup by freshman Chelsea Sublett of Conway, Ark., with 7:52 left to play. Sublett turned in her best performance of her young Lady Lions career, hitting for a career-high 10 points and topping off her first double-double with 10 rebounds. Junior Monica Spearman of Dallas, Texas, just missed a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds.
The duo helped the Lady Lions win the rebounding battle 47-38. It was the most rebounds this season by a Drury opponent. Junior Janae’ Hendreson of Orange, Texas, and junior Vasha Sanders of Little Rock, Ark., chipped in 14 and 10 points, respectively. UAFS shot 36% (26 of 72) from the field.
The No. 20 Lady Panthers, who were the second nationally-ranked opponent to play the Lady Lions this season, needed a sizzling 52% (30 of 58) shooting effort to post their win against UAFS.
The Lady Lions (0-6), however, held the Lady Panthers’ potent perimeter attack in check. Drury entered the game having made 44 3-pointers, but the Lady Panthers only shot 23% (3 of 13) from deep against UA Fort Smith.
UAFS also forced 21 turnovers and blocked five shots – the most by a Lady Panthers’ opponent this season. Hendreson and freshman Lyndsey Bockelman of Fort Smith had two blocks apiece for the Lady Lions.