Lady Jags Push Record To 3-0 With Win Over Southern Miss
The Lady Jags score four points in the final eight seconds to cap off a 10 point deficit to earn a hard fought 66-64 victory. The Jags shot a miserable 30% in the second half.
The Jags were down by six points when Shakira Nettles was fouled while hitting a layup. She missed the foul-shot but the rebound was grabbed by teammate Shaniece Brunner who hit Nettles for another layup to shrink the lead to two points. Jessica Starling tied the game with eight seconds left in the game on another layup after USM missed two foul-shots. After a USM time-out, Nettles stole an inbounds attempt and was fouled on a drive to the hoop. With 4.5 seconds left, she sunk both shots to win the game.
Only two Jags scored in double digits, Starling with 24 and Nettles with 16.
The win pushes the Jags to 3-0 (0-0) on the season, while USM falls to 2-1. The Jags round out their four game home season opening schedule when they host Mercer on Monday at the Mitchell Center. That game has a 7:05pm tip.
Lady Jags Stay Undefeated Against UAB
On Monday night the lady jags held off a second half rally to topple the Lady Blazers of UAB 77-64. The trio of Jessica Starling, Shakira Nettles and Karina Sproal combined for 48 points for the Jags. Nettles had the game high of 17, Starling had 16 and Sproal had 15 (a career best and all in the first half).
The Lady Blazers jumped out with two quick scores early then the Lady Jags went on a 14-2 run using three turnovers to help them do so. The run started with a trey from Sproal which was one of only three on the night for the Lady Jags.
After a 12 point lead at halftime, the Blazers scored two quick baskets in the second half to cut the lead to single digits which they had not seen since about the half-way mark of the first half. The Jags quickly pushed the lead by to 13.
With about nine minutes to go in the game the blazers cut the lead down to four points and the Jags would not let them get any closer during the rest of the game.
The Lady Jags have a 7:05pm tipoff set at the Mitchell Center when they take on the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss.
Season Opener Wins For Both Men and Women Jaguars
Both the Men’s and Women’s teams chalked up wins in their first games of the season tonight. The women won impressively 83-30 over Nicholls State at the Mitchell Center. They dominated from the very beginning with a 16-0 run and never looked back. Four lady Jags scored in double digits and they caused 36 turnovers which netted 32 points.
The Lady Jags will take the court again on Monday at the Mitchell Center when they host UAB at 7:05pm.
The Men took the lead from the beginning and never relinquished it, winning 87-79 over Alcorn State. Four starters scored in double digits led by Brandon Davis’ 21 points and a career high of 14 rebounds on the night. The Jags won the battle on the boards decisively with 51 to Alcorn State’s 29. Bryan Sherrer did a good job running the team, taking over for Daon Merritt who graduated.
The Jags looked good early but they were a bit suspect guarding the outside shot. The Braves hit on 12 of 26 attempts from outside the arc for the game. They shot better in the first half from outside the arc but halftime adjustments by Coach Arrow tightened their defense of the outside shot.
The Jags took a 57-44 lead into the locker room at halftime but were outscored in the second half 35-30. While this is a good start to the season, it did reveal some things that must improve for the Jags in order to win the SBC Championship.
The Jaguars plays again on Tuesday when they travel to Ole Miss for a 7pm tip-off against the rebels.
Congratulations to Caitlyn Collins who won the halftime sumo wrestling match to retain the SGA Presidents office against the President of the South Alabama Outlaws. Also congratulations is due to Ward Miller, band director at South Alabama, for the performance of the pep band (oh and thanks for my t-shirt). Previous pep bands were a small but enthusiastic group of musicians who came out to support the team. Now the pep band is larger and more organized with more instruments in the mix.
Go Jags!
Lady Jags Top West Florida 82-52 In Exhibition Match
Senior Guard Jessica Starling scored 24 of her 27 points in the second half to lead the Lady Jags over West Florida Sunday evening. She was an outstaning 10 of 13 from the field and 6 of 8 from beyond the 3-point line.
USA dominated by forcing 27 turnovers with 12 of them being steals and recording 6 blocks.
The lady jags open the regular season on Friday, November 14th when Nicholls State visit the Mitchell Center for a 5pm tipoff.
Go Jags!
USA Basketball Single-game tickets on sale Friday
Single game tickets for USA’s 08-09 Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams will go on sale Friday, October 10th.
Lower level prices are $12 and upper level prices are $7 except for the Coors Classic when USA will take on Arkansas and former USA coach Pelphrey. This game on Wednesday, November 26th are $25 lower level and $15 upper level tickets.
Women’s tickets are $5 each with general admission seating.
You can pick them up online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone or by visiting the Mitchell Center ticket office. Jaguars fans can call about season tickets 251.461.1USA.
Go Jags!