LIVINGSTON, Ala. --- MC women's basketball fell in Gulf South Conference action at West Alabama, 69-62, on Thursday, Feb. 5. MC moves to 8-12 on the season and 7-8 in conference play while the Tigers improve to 10-9 and 8-8 in the GSC.
 
A quartet of Choctaws scored in double figures led by Nia Coleman and Vivian Sketoe with 13 points each. Mariam Olawoyin added 11 points while Karly Ivy provided 10 points - the third consecutive game with 10-plus points for the Denton, Texas, senior. Channing Lane, came off the bench, with a season-high eight points.
 
MC turned the Tigers over a season-high 34 times in the contest, capitalizing with 22 of its 62 points, but West Alabama found a way to dominate in the paint with 14 points, shooting 66.7 percent from the field and defensively holding the Blue and Gold to just 33 percent in the opening quarter. UWA continued the pace in the second stanza, converting on 10 of 12 attempts, including another 14 points in the paint as it held a 40-29 lead at the intermission.
 
The Choctaws tried to close the gap in the second half. Despite converting on six of seven free throws in the third quarter, MC struggled from the field, hitting only five of 18 shots, including one 3-pointer. They did force the Red and White into 10 turnovers in the stanza, but still trailed by 12 heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
MC outscored the Tigers 16-11 in the final period, capitalizing on turnovers to cut into the deficit. The Blue and Gold forced another nine turnovers, while also finding its rhythm in the paint with 14 points. Despite these efforts, the Tigers' lead held, as they walked away with a seven-point lead and avenged an earlier setback in Clinton and snapped a five-game skid in the series.
 
Nailah Mayes led UWA with 27 points on a perfect 10-for-10 shooting, adding 12 rebounds, including 10 defensive boards. Callie Cowan contributed 17 points, making 5 of 8 field goals and 7 of 8 free throws, while also securing seven rebounds.
 
MC returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 7 as it travels to Alabama's Rocket City to face UAH. Tip-off from Huntsville is 2 p.m. Read Full Article