ELLIS RECORDS DOUBLE-DOUBLE AS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL DOMINATES SOUTHERN MISS
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Senior Chyna Ellis scored a career-high 24 points as part of her third double-double of season to help the South Alabama Women's basketball team (5-1) hand Southern Mississippi (6-2) its first home loss of 2017-18 campaign, 78-57. This is the first Jaguar victory over Southern Mississippi since 2012 and is the first victory in Hattiesburg since 2007.
This was the second-time Ellis has broken her career-mark in points this season as part of four Jaguars scoring in double-digits. The senior center went 9-of-20 from the field, 1-4 from three-point range, and 5-for-5 from the charity stripe, while collecting 10 rebounds for her double-double. Ellis also had three assists and two rejections.
Savannah Jones came back with a vengeance after missing the game against Alabama State. The redshirt freshman shot 5-8 from the field, including 3-of-4 on three-pointers, for 15 points. Jones also collected five boards and a helper.
Shaforia Kines dropped 15 points against the Golden Eagles on 5-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-4 from the three-point arc. The sophomore guard also had five assists, four rebounds and shot 2-of-3 from the free throw line.
Genesis Perrymond collected 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting. Perrymond had a team-high six assists and collected four rebounds in the victory.
Antoinette Lewis produced nine points off the bench, including 5-of-6 from the charity stripe, and LaNeetra Guillory collected seven rebounds in the matchup.
GAME FACTS
- The Jaguars had a rocky finish to the first quarter. They saw a 5-point lead evaporate in the final 2:01 and shot 1-of-7 to end the opening frame as USM led 17-16.
- South Alabama outscored Southern Miss 21-8 in the second quarter. Coming into the matchup, USA had been outscored 72-62 in the second during its first five games.
- The Jags did not relinquish the lead after a Christen Carter jumper gave them a one-point lead with 7:41 left in the second. USA led for 37:44 during the game.
- Tonight was the best effort for the Jags from the charity stripe this season as they shot 82.4 percent, 14-of-17, from the free-throw line.
- The Jags tied a season-high 28 points scored in the fourth quarter. Ellis capped-off a 9-0 run in the quarter with 1:50 remaining in the game on a layup.
- USA held USM to 0-for-6 from the field during the final 3:38 of the game.
- The Jags dominated points in the paint and second chance points by outscoring the Golden Eagles 28-16 and 16-8, respectively, in each category.
- USA committed just nine turnovers, the fewest this season, and committed fewer than 10 for the first time since Jan. 23, 2016, against ULM.
- South Alabama outrebounded USM 42-35.
- The Jags held the Golden Eagles to 2-of-12 from the three-point arc for a .167 shooting percentage, tied for the lowest percentage by an opponent this season. USM did not hit a three until 3:56 remaining in the fourth quarter.
- USM's Jayla King led the Golden Eagles with 22 points on 8-of-17 shooting, including 6-of-13 from the free-throw line, while collecting a game-high 11 rebounds for a double-double. King came into the contest averaging 17.3 points per game.
NOTES
- This was USA head coach Terry Fowler's 251st career victory.
- The 5-1 start is the best under Fowler and is the best start to a season since 2012-13.
- The Jags cap off November with an .833 winning percentage, their best winning percentage in November since the 2008-09 season.
- The Jags are on a four game-win streak, the first since 2015-16.
- The Jags dealt the Golden Eagles just their third regular-season home loss since the beginning of last season.
- The Jags had four-double digit scorers for the first time this season.
- This was the fourth time a Jag has scored 20 or more points in a game this season, including Ellis' second time.
- The same starting-five has been used in all six games.
- Ellis' double-double was the 19th of her career.
- Ellis has had double-digit points in five games, while recording double-digit rebounds in four.
- Jones has scored in double-digits four times this season, while tonight was Kines' second.
- Perrymond's 10 points was a season-high for the senior guard.
- This was the 520th consecutive game South Alabama has made a three-point bucket, and the Jaguars' first points have come on three-pointers in five of the six games this season.
THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Terry Fowler
Opening statement: "It was a lot of fun. A lot of different contributors out there tonight. We are moving the ball and sharing it. I don't know what our assists were, but I know we were playing with a lot of heart out there. We are a confident group right now."
On lowest amount of turnovers in a game this season: "When you don't turn the ball over you get more possessions to score and keep the other team from scoring. This was a big one on the road. We have been talking about road wins. We have to keep up what we're doing because we have a tough one against Jacksonville at home on Sunday, but we are going to enjoy this one tonight because it has been a long time coming."
On the improvement at the charity stripe tonight: "We talked about it and took some extra free throws in practice. We knew free throw shooting was going to be a key tonight. We know we are going to have to hit free throws to beat quality teams. It made it easier for us to go out there and extend the lead."
Shaforia Kines
On the improvement from the free throw line: "Everybody has been working on free throws in practice. We are just trying to improve on them every day carry it over from practice into the games.
Chyna Ellis
On setting her career-high in points for the second time this season: "It's all about my teammates. They give me the ball to score and help the team."
On what is working for this team to be as successful as it has been: "I believe the team chemistry is a lot better this year. We know how to work with each other, what each other's strengths are and how to play off them."
Genesis Perrymond
On Southern Miss beating Tulane and how the Tulane exhibition helped the team: "The Tulane exhibition was to see where we were at and get our feet under us. Once we had that experience we built off it and used it tonight in this game."
On what has been different about this team compared to her last couple of seasons: "Every season we have had a great group of girls and great leadership, but this year we want it. Every year we've wanted it, but this year we're not going to let there be any excuses or reasons why we can't do what we're doing or make an effort to push everybody."
UP NEXT
The Jaguars look to continue their win streak when they play Jacksonville at the Mitchell Center on Sunday.
Four Score in Double-Figures to Lead Red Wolves
JONESBORO, Ark. (11/30/17) – Led by four players in double-figures the Arkansas State women’s basketball team remained undefeated at First National Bank Arena with a 68-62 victory over Tennessee State Thursday evening.
Lauren Bradshaw and Jada Ford paced the Red Wolves with 13 points each, while Morgan Wallace scored a season-high 11 and Akasha Westbrook rounded out the night with 10 points. Bradshaw also led the team with seven rebounds and two blocks, while Ford had a team-high four assists.
With the victory, the Red Wolves improved their record to 3-3 on the year, while the Tigers fell to 0-5.
Arkansas State shot 45.6 percent (26-of-57) from the field, while holding Tennessee State to just a 37.3 percent (26-of-67) clip. The Red Wolves also went 15-of-27 (55.6 percent) from the free throw line, while the Tigers were 5-of-13 (38.5 percent). A-State also won the battle on the boards 41-38.
Tia Wooten led two Tigers in double-figures with 24 points, while Kaliya Griffin added 11.
How It Happened (First Half):
The first half featured six lead changes and four ties as neither team led by more than six in the opening 20 minutes of play. Tennessee State held its largest margin at 14-9 late in the first quarter before layups by Lycia Peevy and Starr Taylor cut the margin to one point at the end of the first period.
Both teams traded the lead several times throughout the early part of the second quarter before Peyton Martin broke a 20-20 tie with layup with 4:39 to go in the game. A-State would never trail after that point.
The lead grew to 29-23 with a layup by Ford with 2:25 to go, but Griffin answered with a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to three points. Morgan Wallace helped the lead grow back to six after a pair of free throws near the end of the half, but Tennessee State scored the final basket of the half to set the halftime score a 32-28.
How It Happed (Second Half):
A-State held a four point lead at halftime and pushed its advantage to 40-34 after a layup by Bradshaw with 6:11 to go in the third quarter.
Tennessee State quickly answered with an 8-2 run that included six points from Wooten to tie the game at 42-42 with 3:57 left in the period. Westbrook answered for A-State with a jumper to go up by 2 before the Tigers cut the deficit to one with a free throw. The Red Wolves finished the quarter on a 7-0 run that was highlighted by a 3-pointer from Ford that she hit off a loose ball in the corner with 30 seconds to go.
The lead grew to 53-43 after a jumper by Ford to start the fourth quarter, but the Tigers slowly began to chip away at the lead through the remainder of the period.
Griffin drained a 3-pointer with 3:41 to get the deficit down to 62-57 and Taylor Roberts followed with a quick layup to make it a one possession game. Westbrook countered with two free throws for the Red Wolves on the following trip down the floor, while Lycia Peevy converted a tough up-and-under layup with 1:33 left to push the lead to 66-59.
A 3-pointer by Taylor Williams got Tennessee State within 66-62, but Wallace hit two free throws with 19 seconds remaining to seal the win for A-State.
Arkansas State never trailed in the second half and shot 56 percent (14-of-25) from the field. The squad also went 7-of-12 from the free throw line, including 4-of-6 in the final three minutes.
Notables:
Madison Heckert earned the first start of her career Thursday evening.
A-State is now 2-0 against teams from the OVC this season and 33-26 overall.
The Red Wolves had a lead at halftime (32-28) for the first time this season.
Arkansas State had four players reach double-figures for the second time this season. Four players also reached double-figures in the Red Wolves victory over UT Martin earlier this year.
Lauren Bradshaw had two blocks and is now two blocks away from becoming the Red Wolves’ all-time leader in career blocks. She currently stands at 131 career blocks.
Morgan Wallace scored in double-figures (11) for the first time in her career.
Akasha Westbrook reached double-figures (10) for the fifth time this season and has now done so in eight out of her last nine games.
Quoting Coach Brian Boyer:
“We found to get a win. I am proud of the way the team handled themselves in the fourth quarter and made the plays we needed to win the game. It felt like that we were just one possession away all night long from extending the lead and it seemed like we would just shoot ourselves in the foot, which never allowed us to really put them away. We were able to finish things out at the end of the game and come away with the win.”
Up Next:
A-State returns to the road for a clash with SEC opponent Ole Miss at The Pavilion. Tip-off it set for Saturday, Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. and will air on the SEC+ Network on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN App.
PANTHERS' RALLY COMES UP SHORT
KENNESAW, Ga. - Georgia State's women's basketball team made a late push Thursday night, but was defeated by Kennesaw State 71-61 at the KSU Convocation Center.
The Panthers battled from down 15 in the third quarter to within six points in the final period, but struggled to get the big stop on defense when they needed it. Kennesaw State took the lead midway through the first quarter and didn't turn back, using 49% shooting from the field to best GSU.
Kierra Henry did a little bit of everything Thursday night, scoring 16 points, tallying a team-high seven assists and grabbing five rebounds. The junior went 6-of-8 from the field and was a perfect 4-for-4 at the free throw line.
Shay Fluker was Georgia State's leading scorer with 17 points and freshman Deja Mitchell led the team in rebounding with six. K.K. Williams joined Fluker and Henry in double digits with 11 points and Mitchell finished with nine.
The Panthers played much better in the second half, shooting 46% and forcing 11 turnovers. Kennesaw State, however, managed to hold off the Panthers and cling to the lead.
Next up for Georgia State is a home game Sunday against Allen. Tipoff in that game is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the game will be broadcasted on ESPN3 as well as 1340 The Fan 3.
Coastal Drops Heartbreaker to College of Charleston
CONWAY - Both teams had chances to win the game at the free throw line with under a second left and the game tied. Coastal Carolina had the first chances but missed two from the line with five-tenths of a second left. After a foul on the rebound attempt, the College of Charleston's Deja Ford made two free throws with three-tenths left to secure a 72-70 win over the Chanticleers.
The loss spoiled career games by Chanticleers DJ Williams (27 points) and Naheria Hamilton (17 points). The Cougars' Tanisha Brown, a Myrtle Beach product, also had a career high with 25 points. Schiclasia Brown added 21 points, making 11-of-13 at the free throw line.
With the game tied and 23 seconds left in the game, the Cougars (2-5) got two shots at winning before getting an offensive rebound and calling a timeout. However, CCU's Williams came up with a steal after the timeout and was fouled with five-tenths of a second left. She missed both free throws and was called for a foul trying to get the rebound with three-tenths of a second left. Ford made both for the 72-70 lead. Coastal (3-4) had one last desperation chance, but came up empty.
Williams played all 40 minutes and finished with 27 points -- with her previous high being 22 earlier this season versus Lees-McRae . Hamilton recorded a double-double, with her 17 points and 10 rebounds. She also scored 17 points last season versus the Cougars.
Coastal started the game slow as Cougars reeled off seven straight points to start the game, which was also the largest lead in the game by either team. CCU worked its way back, tying the game at 7-7 after a Mery Visone 3-pointer, and took its first lead, 13-12 with 3:12 left in the first quarter on a layup by Hamilton. The lead bounced back and forth the rest of the period. Then, with five-tenths of a second left, CofC's Brown made two free throws to put her squad up one, 21-20 through the first 10 minutes.
The Cougars rode that momentum early in the second quarter, but Coastal kept the game close. The Chants got a jumper by D.J. Williams to cut the CCU to one, 31-30 with 5:49 left. Coastal then grabbed a two-point lead, 33-31, when Jas Adams hit Breelyn Blanding in the corner for a 3-point basket. The Chants pushed its lead to five, 40-35, with 2:49 left on a Hamilton put-back. Coastal survived a pair of 3's from the College and neither team scored over the final 1:12 to give Coastal a 42-41 lead at the break. Hamilton was 7-of-8 shooting and scored 14 points while adding five rebounds.
Early in the third quarter, the Cougars went on an 8-0 run and turned a three-point deficit into a five point lead, 51-46, with 6:30 left in the period. The Cougars held a six-point advantage for the second half of the third quarter until the Chants got fast-break layups from Adams and Williams to make it a two-point game, 60-58, in CofC's favor as the quarter came to an end.
Midway through the fourth quarter and the game tied, Williams went on a 5-0 run, making a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws, to give the Chants a 66-61 lead. However, the Chants only scored three points over the next three minutes to allow the Cougars to tie the game, 69-69, with 2:51 left. With 40 seconds left, the College of Charleston made 1-of-2 free throws. Coastal answered as Hamilton was 1-for-2 at the charity stripe to tie the game with 23 ticks left.
Coastal Carolina will return to action next Monday (Dec. 4) by hosting Fort Wayne at 6 pm.