Game 8 - vs. Tennessee Tech Game Notes (.pdf)

MOBILE, Ala. – Coming off its first win of the season, the University of South Alabama women's basketball team will look to continue to build momentum Saturday afternoon when the Jaguars welcome Tennessee Tech to the Mitchell Center.  Tip-off versus the Golden Eagles is set for 1:05 p.m.

Live stats and web streaming for the contest versus Tennessee Tech will be available at www.USAJaguars.com.

South Alabama (1-6) enters Saturday's game versus the Golden Eagles fresh off capturing its first win of the season.  USA picked up a 66-42 decision Tuesday night versus cross-town rival Spring Hill.  The Jaguars used a 21-4 run midway through the second half to break the game open and cruise to the 24-point victory.  

"I think it was really good for our kids to get that first win," South Alabama head coach Terry Fowler said of Tuesday night's 24-point victory over Spring Hill.  "I felt that they were really starting to tense up, so it's good for them to be able to relax a little bit now.  Hopefully we can carry some confidence over from the Spring Hill game into Tennessee Tech on Saturday."

Jennifer Johnson led all scorers with 15 points off the bench for USA.  Over the past three games, Johnson has been the main offensive weapon for the Jags as she has scored double figures in each of those games.  During this recent stretch, she is averaging 15.0 points per game and shooting 59.3 percent from the field (16-for-27).  She has also become a threat from deep as she has hit five of her eight three-point attempts and has hit all eight of her free-throw attempts.

"Jennifer's a scorer," Fowler said.  "The biggest thing for her right now is that she seems to be getting her legs under her.  She seems to be improviing with each day that goes by.  She's going to be a crucial part four us as we move forward."

Johnson enters the game versus TTU averaging 10.5 points per outing – second on the Jaguars roster and 18th in the Sun Belt.  The Tulsa, Okla., native's 46.3 field-goal percentage also ranks 10th in the conference.

Senior guard Meghan Dunn leads the team offensively with her 11.7 ppg average, which ranks 13th in the league.  Dunn's 1.9 treys per game are tied for fourth in the Sun Belt and the Hoover, Ala., native also ranks fifth in the conference in three-point shooting, knocking down 38.2 percent of her attempts.  

Rachel Cumbo is South Alabama's other threat from the outside as she is connecting on 50.0 percent of her three-point attempts - second in the SBC.  As a team, USA leads the league in that category (.328).  Cumbo is averaging 8.6 ppg.

Tennessee Tech (3-4) comes into the game against USA after defeating Alcorn State 66-38 Thursday night on the road.  The Golden Eagles shot 52.3 percent from the floor and knocked down six of their 13 long-range attempts.  

"Tennessee Tech just score," Fowler said.  "The run a five-out motion offense and their point guard averages 18 points a game.  She can create her own shot or shots for her teammates.  They have great balance and shooters who can really knock down the three.  They are going to be difficult for us to guard because of their creativity."

Junior guard Diamond Henderson leads the club offensively through the first seven games as she is averaging 17.4 points per outing.  Henderson is shooting 43 percent from the field and 47.6 percent from the arc, while also leading the team in steals with 10.

Hannah Goolsby is also averaging double figures with 10.7 ppg and her 10 steals are tied with Henderson.  She is also a threat from deep, connecting on 44.8 percent of her attempts.

In the post, 6-2 junior forward T'Keyah Williams has been solid.  Williams is averaging 9.4 ppg and leads the club with 6.6 rpg.  She is also shooting 55.6 percent.

TTU entered the week ranked seventh nationally in three-point percentage, while senior forward Molly Heady leading the nation individually in that same category.  Heady is shooting a blistering 64.0 percent from the arc as she has knocked down 16 of her 25 attempts from beyond the three-point line.  

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

NOTES:   The meeting between South Alabama and Tennessee State will be the first between the two programs in the all-time series.  The game will mark the 19th time South Alabama has faced an opponent currently in the Ohio Valley Conference. South Alabama is 11-7 all-time versus OVC members.  USA defeated league member Tennessee State 59-43 last season in Mobile.

—USA—