Game 21 - at Arkansas State Game Notes (.pdf)
MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women’s basketball team will head back on the road this week for a pair of Sun Belt Conference road games beginning with a trip to West Division leader Arkansas State on Wednesday night. Tip-off versus ASU is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
Live stats and live streaming of the contest between the Lady Jags and the Red Wolves can be accessed at www.USAJaguars.com.
South Alabama (12-8, 5-6 SBC) comes into Wednesday’s league contest after dropping a 50-46 decision to Florida International on Sunday. USA trailed by as much as 18 in the second half, but fought back to get as close as two late before falling to the Panthers.
Cold shooting in the first half proved to be the undoing for the Lady Jags as they were just 5-for-23 from the field (21.7 percent) and scored a season-low 12 points in the period. South Alabama was much better in the second half, shooting 47.8 percent.
Mary Nixon - who had missed the last game-and-a-half due to a concussion - returned to the lineup for USA against the Panthers, recording a team-high 11 points off the bench. The senior guard ranks 14th in the league in scoring (11.5) and is shooting 41.4 percent from the field and 40.0 percent - fourth in the SBC - from beyond the arc.
Freshman post player Brianna Wright is coming off a strong week as she averaged 14.5 ppg and recorded a career-high 20 points versus Western Kentucky. Wright currently ranks third in the Sun Belt in field-goal percentage, hitting 54.2 percent of her shot attempts.
Junior forward Ronneka Robertson continues to pace the Lady Jags on the glass. She is currently sixth in the league with 7.4 rebounds per outing. She also ranks among the SBC leaders in both offensive and defensive rebounds and has grabbed six or more boards in 15 of USA’s 20 games this season.
South Alabama continues to rank among the conference leaders in several categories. USA leads the SBC in scoring defense (53.2) and three-pointers per game (6.3), while ranking second in field-goal percentage defense (38.0), three-point field-goal defense (.242) and rebounding margin (+3.0). The Jags are fifth in the latest NCAA rankings at guarding the arc.
Arkansas State (11-9, 8-3 SBC) enters the midweek contest as one of the hottest teams in the league. Over the weekend, the Red Wolves won their sixth-straight game, defeating Florida Atlantic 74-56 in Jonesboro.
“Arkansas State is exceptionally well-coached by Brian Boyer,” South Alabama head coach Rick Pietri said. “They are playing with a lot of confidence on the offensive end right now. (Jane) Morrill is a great interior post player for them. I also think Ashley Olvera has done a really nice job for them at the point at this stage. Hannah Qedan has done a nice job of making perimeter shots for them. They are very balanced on offense and on defense, they are super solid. Plus they are playing at home. They’ve always been good at home, because they’ve always drawn well at home, no matter what the circumstances. I’m sure with them rolling like they are right now, it’s going to be a rocking Convocation Center in Jonesboro.
The Convocation Center has been a tough place for opponents to play this season as ASU is 8-3 at home and 5-1 in conference play. ASU’s lone home SBC loss was a 72-70 decision to East Division leader Middle Tennessee back at the beginning of the month. In league play, the Red Wolves are outscoring their opponents 67.3 - 56.7 at home.
ASU currently sits on top of the SBC West Division heading into the week. One of the strengths this season for the Red Wolves has been their shooting where they rank second in the conference (42.8). In SBC action, ASU has been even better, knocking down 45.9 percent of its attempts.
Like the Lady Jags, Arkansas State has been extremely strong guarding the three-point line. As of Monday, ASU not only leads the SBC, but the NCAA in that category, allowing opponents to shoot just 22.9 percent.
On the offensive side of the ball, first-team all-SBC selection Jane Morrill has led the way. The junior leads the club and ranks sixth in the conference in scoring (14.9 ppg), while connecting on 50.9 of her shot attempts - fifth in the SBC. The 6-1 post player is also a threat from the outside as she is shooting 37.5 percent from long range.
In conference play, two other players have elevated their game and provided help to Morrill at the offensive end. Hanna Qedan (10.8) and Jalen O’Bannon (10.7) are both averaging double figures in SBC action. Ashley Olvera is just shy of the two with 9.0 ppg.
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: The meeting between South Alabama and Arkansas State will mark the 39th meeting between the two programs in the all-time series. Arkansas State holds a 28-9 advantage in the series and 12-2 in Jonesboro. Under head coach Rick Pietri, South Alabama has narrowed the gap, and the series is tied 9-9. USA has won five of the last six meetings, including the first earlier this season, a 53-47 victory in Mobile. Pietri and ASU head coach Bryan Boyer are currently tied 9-9 in their previous 18 meetings. ASU is 8-3 this season and 5-1 in Sun Belt play at the Convocation Center. The Red Wolves are outscoring opponents at home in SBC play, 67.3 - 56.7. ASU’s only home conference loss was to Middle Tennessee (72-70). Arkansas State and South Alabama not only rank first and second, respectively in the SBC in guarding the three-point shot, but also among the NCAA. The Red Wolves lead the nation, allowing opponents to shoot just 22.9 percent from the arc, while the Jaguars are third, allowing just 24.2 percent. USA continues to rank among the conference leaders in several categories. USA leads the SBC in scoring defense (53.2) and three-pointers per game (6.3), while ranking second in field-goal percentage defense (38.0), three-point field-goal defense (.242) and rebounding margin (+3.0).
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