MEMPHIS, Tenn. ? After missing the majority of last season and the first part of this season, South Alabama senior forward Ra’Shawna Sippio made the most of her season debut, posting 18 points and 12 rebounds to help USA capture an impressive 66-49 road victory over Memphis Thursday evening at the FedExForum.

“The thing that I like most about tonight is the level of energy that we brought from start to finish,” South Alabama head coach Rick Pietri said.  “This is the kind of energy that we need to beat good teams.  We didn’t shoot it particularly well tonight, but our energy level was so high, that we got most every loose ball.”

“Ra’Shawna has waited a calendar year to play basketball against someone other than her teammates, so she certainly showed what she is capable of and I am glad that she got this opportunity.” 

Sippio was 9-of-15 from the field and also registered five blocks and two steals in 28 minutes of action.  Shakira Nettles also finished the night in double figures with 14 points. 

The Tigers were led by Shekeira Copeland’s 15 points and nine rebounds.  Ashley Thorton also posted a double-double, recording 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Nettles prevented Memphis’ leading scorer, Paris Leonard from getting into a good rhythm.  Leonard finished the game with 11 points, seven shy of her average.

South Alabama owned the offensive glass, pulling down 20 offensive boards, seven of which coming from Sippio.  The Jags also forced Memphis into 26 turnovers and recorded a season-high 15 steals. 

USA (7-2) will close out its three-game road swing on Saturday when the Lady Jags face Western Illinois.  Tip-off against the Westerwinds is set for 4:30 p.m.   Memphis drops to 5-4 on the year with the loss.

Both clubs came out struggling on the offensive end of the combining to hit just 4 of their first 17 shots.  After Memphis took an early three point lead six minutes into the game, the Lady Jags rebounded from their early shooting woes to hit four of their next six from the floor.  Jessica Starling’s jumper at the 14:10 mark started a run of six straight points for the Jags and Sippio put USA up 12-9 with a jumper in the lane at the 12:52 mark.

USA held the lead over the next several minutes until Memphis’ Leonard knocked down a 16-foot jumper with eight minutes, 20 seconds left in the opening period of play.  With the Tigers holding the one-point advantage , South Alabama took control of the contest and went on another run, this one a 14-2 scoring spurt over the next five minutes.    During the Jaguar run, Shaniece Brunner led the way recording all six of her first half points during that stretch.  Nettles, who had been plagued for most of the period with foul trouble, gave USA its largest lead of the half when the Mobile, native drained a three-pointer from the left corner.  Nettles’ trey was just the Lady Jags’ second of the first stanza.  South Alabama didn’t allow Memphis to gain any momentum before halftime and headed into the locker room with the 35-23 lead.

Sippio  led USA with eight first half points, while Jessica Starling was right behind her with seven.  Sippio also led the Jaguar women on the glass, pulling down eight rebounds, five of which were on the offensive end. 

The Lady Jags forced 14 Tiger turnovers in the first half, leading to 15 points and also held a 24-14 point advantage in the paint.

Coming out to the intermission, South Alabama kept up the defensive intensity and forced Memphis into seven turnovers before the first media time out of the period.  Britney Rutlege’s layup but the Lady Jags up 41-25 with just over 15 minutes left on the clock, but coming out a time out, Memphis pulled to within 12 on back-to-back buckets from Ramses Lonlock and Copeland with just over 13 minutes left.  That was as close as the Lady Tigers would get though.

Once again, South Alabama had the answer and stretched its lead back out.  Sippio led the charge as the senior scored six of USA’s next 12 points.  Nettles and Starling followed the Sippio buckets and capped off the scoring with a pair of free throws that gave South Alabama a 53-31, its biggest advantage to that point.  The Lady Jags held the momentum the rest of the way and went on to lead by as many as 26 (64-38) before taking the 17-point victory. 

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

-- USA --