Lady Tigers find a way to get it done on hardwood
By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
Feb. 3, 2004
LIVINGSTON, Ala. West Alabama may be living dangerously with its collection of close wins, but Lady Tigers guard Tausha Evans isn't worried. A close win, she says, is still a win.
And while another tight win over Montevallo on Saturday kept West Alabama's morale soaring and kept the Lady Tigers atop the East Division in the Gulf South Conference, it also kept head coach Amanda Marks' stress level at an all-time high.
The Lady Tigers' 60-50 win over Montevallo improved their overall record to 14-5 and their in-conference mark to 6-1. Though West Alabama came away with a double-digit win, the score was tied nine times. The Lady Tigers scored nine unanswered points to end the game.
It was just another close game for West Alabama, which has taken six of its wins by four points or less.
But Powe and Evans can both understand Marks' anxiety. The Lady Tigers are shooting just 36 percent from the floor, 26 percent from three-point range and 67 percent on free throws.
Still, West Alabama keeps winning.
And a lot of experience. Marks signed all junior college prospects after the 2003 season, when West Alabama was 11-15. A year earlier, the Lady Tigers had been in the NCAA Division II Tournament, so Marks saw immediately what her team lacked.
Marks admits the decision was a calculated gamble. But she also acknowledges that it has apparently paid off. The Lady Tigers have no freshmen, and only three of their 12 players are sophomores.
West Alabama now enjoys renewed success with a lineup laden with talent from east Mississippi. Three Lady Tigers came from EMCC and another, senior guard Margo Porter, was recruited from East Central Community College.
Any concerns about team chemistry, Evans said, have evaporated.
That chemistry and the success it brought has the Lady Tigers looking for a strong finish. With eight regular season games remaining including five straight at home and the GSC Tournament beginning March 4, a 20-win season and another NCAA Tournament berth appear within reach.
