LAS VEGAS, Nev. – In their first, and assumingly easiest, game of a three-day tournament in Las Vegas, the Lady Argos defeated Menlo College 81-72 with 26 points from Erin Legal.
The game was hard fought from the opening tip, with Menlo holding a small lead for much of the first quarter. A series of turnovers from the Oaks and made free throws from UGF completed an 8-0 run to tie the game up at 23. A three from pre-season All-America Erin Legal capped the rally and UGF never trailed again.
"It was a tough game but the girls played great," UGF head coach Bill Himmelberg. "It was a great game for us tonight."
The Oaks managed to pull even at 31 with seven minutes left in the first half but afterwards UGF slowly built a confident lead.
The biggest difference between the two teams was a 42-26 rebounding margin in favor of the Lady Argos. The Oaks were only able to grab four offensive rebounds against UGF after the Argos got beat up on the offensive class early in the week during a scrimmage against the University of Montana.
"I'm most proud of out improvements in our rebounding," Himmelberg said. "The work we've been doing on rebounding all week really paid off tonight."
Leading the team in rebound was junior transfer Whitney George. The 6-4 center pulled down 11 boards, including as many offensive rebounds as the entire Menlo team. George was also one of five Argos to score in double-digits, tallying 13 points.
Those five double-digit scorers were the team's five starters. Legal's 26 came by way of seven three-pointers and five free throws. She also contributed nine rebounds and led the team with four steals.
Those four steals were part of 12 total for UGF and those twelve led to 23 points of turnovers. The Argos also led the Oaks in second chance points, 13-4.
UGF's second leading scorer was forward Nneka Nnadi. She was her usual efficient self offensively, making five of nine field goal attempts on her way to a 14 point, five rebound, and three assist performance.
The other two double-digit scorers were guards Stephanie McDonagh, with 13, and Morgan Grier with 11.
The win keeps the 11th ranked UGF team undefeated at 5-0 but their competition gets significantly more difficult over the next two days, with both opponents also in the top 15. They play fifth ranked Westmont College on Saturday, November 14 at 7 p.m.
