Game 22 - at UALR Game Notes (.pdf)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The University of South Alabama women’s basketball team will close out its two-game road trip in the state of Arkansas on Saturday when the Lady Jags take on UALR. Tip-off versus UALR is set for 4:30 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center.
The last time these two clubs meet back in late December, it was a matchup of two of the top defensive teams in the league. Both teams were tough on the defensive end as UALR managed to pick up a 49-40 decision over the Jaguars in Mobile.
“A lot has happened (for both teams) since the first time that we played,” South Alabama head coach Rick Pietri said. “Both of us I thought were pretty good defensively. (UALR) was a little bit better than we were that day. That being said, both teams have had a lot happen to them since then. I expect this game to be played a little bit differently on both sides. UALR is very well-coached and talented and athletic. We need to meet that challenge of athleticism. If we give the kind of effort we gave for pockets of time in our game on Wednesday (versus Arkansas State), we’ll have a chance to be successful.”
Live stats and live streaming of the contest between the Lady Jags and the Trojans can be accessed at www.USAJaguars.com.
South Alabama (12-9, 5-7 SBC) comes into this weekend’s conference game looking to end a two-game skid. On Wednesday, Arkansas State opened up with a 17-2 run and USA turned the ball over 11 times in the first 11 minutes as the Lady Jags fell 72-61 to the Red Wolves. The Jags got as close as six in the second half, before dropping the 11-point decision.
The 61 points scored by USA tied for the most points recorded in league play this season. The Jaguars also shot 41.7 percent for the game - the best shooting percentage since shooting 42.6 percent at Central Florida on Dec. 19.
Mary Nixon returned to the starting lineup versus ASU and posted 16 points, hitting seven of her 13 attempts. Meghan Dunn also added 16 points on four three-pointers, while Brianna Wright added 12.
Nixon ranks 15th in the league in scoring with 11.8 ppg. The senior guard is shooting 42.5 percent overall and 38.3 percent from the arc - fifth in the league.
Dunn is another one of the Lady Jags’ top outside threats. Dunn leads the team lead with 30 treys this season and is hitting 33.7 of her attempts from the arc - 11th in the SBC. She is also tied for sixth in the conference with 1.6 treys per game. She is averaging 7.3 ppg.
Coming off her first collegiate start, Wright continues her solid play in the post of late. The freshman from Greenville, Miss., currently ranks third in the league in shooting, knocking down 52.4 percent of her shots. Wright is third on the club in scoring with 7.6 points per outing, but over the last five games, the 6-1 forward has led USA with 12.4 ppg and shot 53.1 percent from the field.
On the glass, junior forward Ronneka Robertson continues to pace the Jags on the glass. She is currently seventh in the league with 7.2 rebounds per outing.
South Alabama continues to rank among the conference leaders in several categories. USA leads the SBC in scoring defense (54.0) and three-pointers per game (6.3), while ranking third in both field-goal percentage defense (38.7) and three-point field-goal defense (.258). The Jags are 22nd in the latest NCAA rankings at guarding the arc.
UALR (14-7, 6-6 SBC) enters action this weekend after picking up a 74-52 decision over Louisiana Tech. After the first meeting with USA, the Trojans dropped six of their next seven league games, but with the win on Wednesday, UALR has now won three straight.
The Trojans got off to a quick start versus the Techsters, opening the game on a 14-0 run and never looked back. Junior guard Taylor Ford led the way with 16 points and six rebounds in the win. Ford is averaging 8.9 ppg and 5.0 rpg, while also ranking second in the Sun Belt in assists with 4.3. As a team, UALR ranks first in assist with 13.8 per game.
Under head coach Joe Foley, defense has been a staple for the Trojans. UALR currently leads the SBC in field-goal defense (.325) and blocked shots (5.9) and second in both scoring defense (54.9) and three-point field-goal defense (.248). The Trojans are fifth nationally in field-goal defense, ninth in blocks and 10th in three-point defense. UALR has also been good at the offensive end, leading the league in three-point shooting (.341) and ranking second in field goal shooting (.430).
Taylor Gault - a preseason first-team all-SBC selection - leads the club with 15.6 points an outing - fifth-most in the league.
Hannah Fohne is 10th in the SBC in rebounding with 6.7, fourth in shooting (.52.1) and fifth in blocks (1.5). Freshman Shanity James leads the Sun Belt in shooting, hitting 57.0 percent of her shot attempts.
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 UALR will be the 20th in the all-time series. USA holds an 11-8 advantage in the all-time series, but the Trojans have taken seven of the last eight meetings, including the last five. USA is 9-7 against UALR under head coach Rick Pietri. UALR picked up a 49-40 victory in the first meeting this season. The meeting between South Alabama’s Pietri and UALR head coach Joe Foley will be the 14th between the two coaches. Foley holds a slim 7-6 advantage in the 13 previous meetings. South Alabama and UALR are among the league leaders in several defensive categories. USA leads the SBC in scoring defense (54.0) and three-pointers per game (6.3), while ranking third in both field-goal percentage defense (38.7) and three-point field-goal defense (.258). The Jags are 22nd in the latest NCAA rankings at guarding the arc. UALR currently leads the SBC in field-goal defense (.325) and blocked shots (5.9) and second in both scoring defense (54.9) and three-point field-goal defense (.248). The Trojans are fifth nationally in field-goal defense, ninth in blocks and 10th in three-point defense.
-- USA --
