Game 18 - at Appalachian State Game Notes (.pdf)MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women's basketball team will head back out on the road to take on Appalachian State on Thursday night. Tip-off versus the Mountaineers is set for 4 p.m. (CT) at the Holmes Center.
"First of all, I think we just have to come out Thursday night read to fight and compete," South Alabama head coach Terry Fowler. "We've got to put together a 40-minute ball game. Our first game against App State was probably as close to a full 40-minute ball game that we've been able to put together is quite some time. Hopefully we can do the same in this game."
The App State took the first meeting this season versus the Jaguars, capturing a 67-63 victory in Mobile.
Live stats, the Jaguars' audio broadcast and web streaming of the contest versus Appalachian State can be accessed at www.USAJaguars.com.
South Alabama (3-14, 0-8 SBC) comes into Thursday night's game at Appalachian State looking to snap a 12-game losing streak. USA dropped its 12th straight contest on Monday, falling to Sun Belt leader Arkansas-Little Rock, 56-34 in Mobile.
The 34 points were a new season low for the Jaguars. USA struggled offensively in the first half, shooting just 16 percent and scoring just 10 points in the period. With the Jags struggling, the Trojans outscored South Alabama 29-2 during a 16-plus minute stretch.
During its current 12-game skid, the Jaguars have been held to 53 points or fewer eight times and are shooting 34 percent from the field, while averaging 50.4 ppg. USA's opponents are averaging 67.2 ppg and shooting 43.1 percent during that same time.
Over its last 17 conference games, the Jags hold just a 1-16 record in those outings. USA has also struggled on the road over the past two seasons as it has lost 14-straight road games dating back to last season – which is tied for the third-longest streak in program history – and 22 of their last 23 away from the Mitchell Center dating back to the end of the 2012-13 season.
South Alabama's offense was limited against UALR as it was playing without its leading scorer Breanna Hall. Hall currently ranks third in the SBC in scoring with 16.2 points per game, while also ranking among the league leaders in free-throw shooting (6th – .806), three-point shooting (2nd – .422) and three-pointers per game (T3rd – 2.3). She has also scored double figures in 25 of her last 29 games dating back to the '13-14 season.
Hall's status for the contest versus the Mountaineers is still to be determined. The Mesquite, Texas, native recorded a career-high 28 points in the first meeting versus Appalachian State earlier this month. Hall was 7-of-14 from the field and 11-of-14 at the foul line in that game.
A pair of freshmen rank behind Hall offensively for the Jaguars. Marquita Daniels is second on the club with 7.4 ppg, while Chyna Ellis is close behind her with 7.1 ppg. Ellis also ranks 10th in the conference in rebounds (6.9) and her 1.5 blocks per game are fifth-most in the Sun Belt.
Appalachian State (8-8, 3-4 SBC) returns home Thursday night after falling, 91-87 at Troy on Monday night.
Maryah Syndor led the Mountaineers with 31 points and 11 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season and the 25th of her career. The senior guard was 10-of-14 from the field and 9-of-13 from the foul line in the loss. Syndor currently leads the Sun Belt at the foul line, connecting on 84.7 percent of her attempts.
"App State beat (preseason favorite) Arkansas State at home earlier this season and their home court is a very tough place to play," Fowler said. "Every time I've watched them on film, they have put in a new wrinkle to either their offense or their defense. I expect to see some new things from them on Thursday night."
As a team, App State leads the SBC and ranks 23rd in the NCAA at the charity stripe, connecting on 75.2 percent of its attempts.
Entering play this week, Syndor is second in the SBC in scoring, averaging 18.5 ppg. She also ranks among the conference leaders in rebounding (3rd – 9.3) and in field-goal percentage (11th – .464).
Also averaging double digits for ASU is fellow senior guard Katie Mallow. Mallow comes into play averaging 12.0 points per outing – tied for 13th in the SBC and her 26 treys lead the club. Mallow is also ninth in the league at the foul line (.776).
The Mountaineers have been strong defensively in the post this season. App State currently ranks second in blocks (4.1) and are led down low by Ashley Bassett-Smith. Bassett-Smith leads the Sun Belt with 1.9 blocks per game.
ASU is also third in the conference in both scoring (71.3) and field-goal percentage (.420).
NOTES: The meeting between South Alabama and Appalachian State will mark the fourth in the all-time series between the two programs. App State leads the series 2-1. The Mountaineers took the first meeting this season, picking up a 67-63 win in Mobile. The meeting earlier this month was the first meeting between the two clubs since the 2002-03 season. Thursday's meeting will also be the first in the series on the Mountaineers home floor.
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).
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