January 31, 2004

By TOMMY HICKS
Sports Reporter

UM Women Fall to archrival Spring Hill College

Despite a slow start that found them trailing by 13 points less than nine minutes into the game, the Lady Badgers made their shots in the final 30 minutes to defeat Mobile.

Making just two field goals in the first 10 minutes and shooting only 27 percent from the floor in the first half, Spring Hill used a sizzling 61.5 percent shooting accuracy in the second half to take an easy victory.

The comeback began with a 12-0 run late in the first half, triggered by Meagan Pendergast who scored the first six points in the stretch.

Trailing by five points at halftime, Spring Hill picked up the pace, tying the game 51-all on a Marcie McHugh 3-pointer at the 6:43 mark and allowing Mobile only two field goals from that point on, one of those coming with 20 seconds to play and the game already decided.

"We can't seem to start games," Spring Hill coach Terry Fowler said. "That's been our problem all year. Today at the shoot-around, I talked to them about bringing their energy every game like they do for this one. Hopefully, we'll do that the rest of the way."

Spring Hill (10-10, 5-4) was led by freshman guard Maria Rodriguez and Pendergast with 17 points each, 15 of Rodriguez's coming in the second half. McHugh and Amy Young had 13 points each, combining for a 7-of-12 outing from 3-point range.

Mobile (12-8, 6-3) was led by Crystal Coston's 15 points and 11 rebounds. Kinga Rybarczyk had 12 points, with Sherie Lattimore scoring 10 and Trevor Chandler eight.

The Lady Rams' biggest problem was taking care of the basketball: They committed 24 turnovers. Spring Hill had nine turnovers, only two in the second half.