Game Notes - Game 23 at Middle Tennessee (.pdf)

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women’s basketball team will continue look to snap its three-game road skid this weekend when the Lady Jags travel to take on Sun Belt Conference East Division leader Middle Tennessee.

Tip-off versus the Blue Raiders is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Murphy Center and will start following the conclusion of the men’s game.  Live stats and video can be accessed at www.usajaguars.com. 

Middle Tennessee holds a 16-4 advantage in the all-time series and has won each of the last 14 meetings, including a 67-59 decision in Mobile earlier this season, but head coach Rick Pietri believes that there is something for the Lady Jags to take from that meeting.

“The thing that we can take out of the first meeting is that when we are playing well, we can compete with Middle Tennessee,” Pietri said.  “However, when you head into their building, it’s a different deal.  They have a great environment and support up there.  To be completive with them on their court, you really have to ratchet up your level of play.  Here recently, our level of play on the road hasn’t been very high.  It’s up to us to find a way to compete at a level high enough to give ourselves a chance.”

South Alabama (13-9, 5-5 SBC) comes into the contest looking to bounce back from a 56-41 loss at Western Kentucky on Wednesday, in which USA shot a season low 23 percent from the floor and tied a season low in points (41).

In its five Sun Belt road games, USA has struggle offensively, shooting just 30 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from the arc.  The Lady Jags are holding their opponents to 58.2 ppg in those games, but are averaging just 48.6 themselves, including games of 43 points or less in each of their last three. 

Despite to offensive woes, South Alabama continues to lead the SBC in three-point shooting and three-pointers per game.  The Jags are knocking down 35.3 percent of their attempts from long range, while averaging 7.6 treys per contest. 

Leading the three-point attack is the trio of Christian Shelter, Sarda Peterson and Lauren Walker.  Shelter comes into the game averaging a team-best 12.4 points per outing and shooting 39.3 percent from the arc - sixth in the Sun Belt.  Peterson is also averaging double digits with 11.1 ppg and shooting 36.7 percent from the arc.  Walker leads the conference in three-point shooting at 45.2 percent.

As has been a staple with the Lady Jags under Pietri, USA has also been one of the top defensive clubs in the SBC.  South Alabama leads the league and ranks second in the nation in three-point defense (.230), while also ranking second in the SBC in scoring defense (56.2) and field goal defense (36.4).

Middle Tennessee enters leading the Sun Belt’s East Division with an 18-5 overall mark and a 9-1 record in the league.  On Wednesday, MTSU rebounded from its first conference loss of the season with an 87-58 victory over Louisiana-Monroe. 

The Blue Raiders are 9-1 at home this season and 5-0 at the Murphy Center versus SBC foes.  Under Rick Insell, MTSU holds a 99-12 all-time mark in league action, including regular season and tournament play, and an impressive 50-1 combined home record.

Offensively, the Blue Raiders are led by the trio of Ebony Rowe, Anne Marie Lanning and Icelyn Elie.  Rowe, a true freshman, ranks second in the conference in scoring with 16.9 ppg.  She also ranks second in the league in rebounding (10.2) and field goal percentage (60.6).  Her shooting percentage is also fifth-best in the NCAAs.  Rowe has 12 double-doubles this season.

Lanning is second on the club in scoring with 12.4 points per game.  The senior leads the team with 51 treys on the year and is shooting 41.0 percent.  Fellow teammate Kortni Jones is also a threat from long range, hitting 41.1 percent of her attempts.  Elie is also averaging double figures with 10.7 ppg.  She is shooting 51.7 percent from the field. 

As a team, MTSU ranks first in the SBC in scoring (71.9), scoring margin (+10.1), rebounding defense (32.6) and assists (16.2).  The Blue Raiders are also second in the league in field goal percentage (.454), three-point shooting (.352), three-pointers per game (7.2) and steals (9.7).

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: With a win, Pietri will move into first place by himself in career wins at USA.  Saturday’s game against Middle Tennessee will mark the 21st meeting between the two programs in the all-time series.  The Blue Raiders hold a commanding 16-4 advantage in the series and have on 14-straight, including picking up a 67-59 victory in Mobile on Jan. 2. Under Pietri, USA is 2-15 in the series and 1-6 in Murfreesboro.  USA’s last win in the series came back during the 2002-03 season when the Lady Jags defeated the Blue Raiders 72-58 in Mobile.  The meeting between Pietri and Insell will be the 14th between the two coaches.  Insell has won all 13 of the previous meetings.