TROY, Ala. - The University of South Alabama women's basketball team will head back out on the road this weekend when the Jags travel to Troy to take on the Trojans on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 5:15 p.m. at Trojan Arena.
Live stats and the web cast of the game versus the Trojans can be accessed at www.usajaguars.com. Fans can view the web cast by subscribing to Jaguar Nation for either $7.95 per month or an annual fee of $69.95.
The Jaguar women come into this weekend's Sun Belt Conference tilt looking to snap a three-game skid. On Wednesday, USA fell to 12-9 on the season and 7-3 in the league with a 62-55 loss at home to Florida Atlantic.
South Alabama tried to rally late in the second half from a 16-point deficit, but come-back attempt came too late, as USA fell by seven. Christian Shelter was one of three Jags to finish in double figures with 16 points. Siedah Banks also tied a career-high with 15 points.
"Right now, our team really needs to make a decision about who they want to be," South Alabama head coach Rick Pietri said. "Whether they have the passion necessary to give themselves a chance in any game they play, no matter who the opponent is, is a problem we need to solve."
Shelter leads the club in scoring with 12.0 points per game - 17th in the SBC. Shelter is also third on the team in rebounding with 4.2 per contest and is shooting 41.4 percent from the floor.
Also averaging double digits for the Jaguars are Shakira Nettles (10.9 ppg) and Tashley Gaines (10.2 ppg). Nettles' 32 three-pointers lead the team, while Gaines ranks among the league leaders in field goal shooting, knocking down 45.5 percent of her attempts.
Banks has been solid at the point for the Jaguars this season. The junior from Little Rock, Ark., is dishing out 3.6 assists per game and her 2.5 assist/turnover ratio is tied for second in the conference and was 11th nationally in the most recent rankings.
As a team, South Alabama second in the conference in free throw shooting and three-pointers made, while also ranking third in scoring defense, three-point field goal percentage, assist/turnover ratio and turnover margin.
After holding 10 of their first 14 opponents under 60 points, the Jaguar defense has allowed each of their last seven opponents to eclipse the 60-point mark. South Alabama is 4-3 in those seven games.
The Trojans enter the weekend match up versus their in-state rival riding some momentum after ending a three-game losing streak this past week with a 65-52 victory over Louisiana-Monroe in Troy. With the win, Troy also improved to 11-8 overall and 4-6 in the Sun Belt.
Senior guard Brittnie Davis led all scorers with 25 points - her third-straight 20-point outing - and junior forward Donette McNair posted her sixth double-double of the season with a 15 point, 12 rebound effort. Davis and McNair pace the Trojans offensively. Davis' 12.8 points per game ranks 11th in the conference, while McNair is right behind her tied for 12th with FAU's Brittany Bowe for 12th at 12.6 ppg. McNair also ranks fourth in the Sun Belt in shooting at .523 and fifth in rebounding with 8.7 boards per game.
Alyce Shearing (9.3) and Sophie Kleeman (9.1) sit just outside of double figures.
As a team, Troy ranks second only to Denver in three-point shooting. The Trojans have connected on 37.6 of their attempts from beyond the arc this season - 28th in the most recent NCAA rankings. The long-range attack has been led by the trio of Kleeman, Davis and Shearing - who each rank in the top 5 of the SBC. Kleeman is currently second (42.2)t, while Davis is third (40.7) and Shearing is fifth (38.0).
Not only have the Trojans done an excellent job shooting the long ball, but defending the arc as well. Coming into Saturday's contest, Troy leads the conference in three-point field goal defense.
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).
NOTES: Troy holds a 15-13 advantage in the all-time series between the Trojans and the Jags, but South Alabama has taken 10 of the last 12 meetings. Pietri is 9-1 during his time at USA. The Trojans hold a 9-3 advantage in the series in games played in Troy, but all three wins have come during Pietri's tenure.
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