Game Notes - vs. Troy

MOBILE, Ala. – Coming off a tough two-game road trip, the University of South Alabama women’s basketball team return home Wednesday evening to host in-state league rival Troy as part of the program’s annual “Pink Zone” game for breast cancer awareness.  Against the Trojans, the Jaguar women will wear pink uniforms for the first time in the program’s history.  Fans are asked to wear pink as part of USA’s “Pink Out” and those who do will be admitted free.

Tip-off versus the Trojans is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Mitchell Center.  Live stats and video can be accessed at www.usajaguars.com. 

South Alabama (13-10, 5-6 SBC) enters the midweek contest versus the Trojans looking to snap its current two-game skid.  USA is coming off a pair of losses last week at Western Kentucky and at Middle Tennessee.  The loss to the Blue Raider marked the fourth-straight road game and fifth time this season that the Lady Jags have been held below 50 points.  USA has been much better offensively at home this season averaging 70.9 points per game and outscoring opponents by nearly 18 points per contest.

USA continues to lead the Sun Belt in three-point shooting (.350), three-pointers per game (7.4) and three-point defense (.231), while ranking second in scoring defense (56.8), field goal defense (.370) and scoring margin (+6.6).  The Lady Jags also lead the NCAA in field goal defense.

At the offensive end of the floor, senior forward Christian Shelter and junior guard Sarda Peterson continue to pace the club.  Shelter comes into the contest averaging 11.9 ppg, while Peterson is at 11.0 ppg.  Throughout most of the season, Shelter and Peterson have ranked among the league leaders in three-point shooting. Shelter is currently knocking down 38.1 percent of her attempts from the arc, while Peterson is hitting 35.5 percent.  Lauren Walker leads both the club and the Sun Belt in that same category, connecting on 45.9 percent from the three-point line.

Senior point guard Siedah Banks continues to have a solid final season directing the Lady Jag offense.  In the most recent rankings, Banks ranks ninth nationally in assist/turnover ratio (2.4) and sixth in the league in assists with 4.7 per outing.  The 5-5 guard is also third on the club in scoring with 7.9 ppg and rebounding 4.9 rpg.  Over the past three games, Banks has recorded double figures and led the Jaguars in scoring.

Troy comes into the game this week with a 5-18 mark on the season and a 2-8 record in the conference.  The game versus USA will be the first in almost a week for the Trojans since dropping a 57-53 decision at home to Florida International on Feb. 3.  The loss to the Golden Panthers was the seventh in the previous eight games for Troy.

“Troy is coming off a very close loss at home to FIU – a team that has won four in a row,” South Alabama head coach Rick Pietri said.  “They are a more than worthy opponent as can be shown by the result of our last game against them.  Clearly, in this game, our team is going to have to take a different approach, mentally and emotionally, to how they approach this game.  The only way the outcome will be any different is if we change our approach.”

The Trojans picked up the first meeting of the season versus the Lady Jags, defeating USA 66-41 in Troy.  In that meeting, Troy held the Jags to a season-low 41 points and a then season-low 25 percent shooting effort.

The duo of Donette McNair and DeAngela Sword continue to provide most of the offense for the Trojans.  McNair comes into the contest averaging 14.1 ppg - eight in the SBC - while Sword is close behind her at 13.4 ppg - 11th in the SBC.  McNair is shooting 48.6 percent from the field and ranks third in the conference on the glass, pulling down 8.6 boards per game.  Sword is the top threat from beyond the arc for the Trojans as she leads the club in treys (25) and three-point shooting (.38.5).

As a team, Troy is averaging 56.0 points per game, while allowing 68.4 to the opposition.  The Trojans are shooting 38.7 percent from the floor, but in conference action, they have raised that tally to 42.5 percent - third-best in the league. 

The Trojans have been hit by injury this season as they have been without two starters for much of the year.  Troy list just nine players on its active roster.  The Trojans are still in search of their first victory away from home this season as they are a combined 0-13 at either neutral or road sites.

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.  Wednesday’s game against Troy will be the 33rd in the all-time series.  Troy holds a slim 17-15 advantage in the all-time series between the Trojans and the Jags, but South Alabama has taken 11 of the last 14 meetings.  Pietri is 10-2 against the Trojans during his time at USA. South Alabama is 9-6 all-time in meetings in Mobile and 5-0 under Pietri. Troy defeated USA (66-41) earlier this season in Troy.  The meeting between Pietri and Troy head coach Michael Murphy will be the 13th between the two coaches.  Pietri holds a 10-2 advantage in those meetings and all 12 meetings have come at both coach’s current schools.