MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women's basketball team (1-2) got its first win of the 2016-17 season against Spring Hill 38-33 on Thursday night at the Mitchell Center.  The Jaguars scored the first basket of the game and were able to maintain their lead the rest of the way.
 
"It was an ugly game, but a win is a win," said head coach Terry Fowler. "Hopefully we can learn some lessons from this. We didn't get shots to fall and that slowed us down. We had 13 points in the second half. We just didn't get the ball inside as much as we wanted, and even when we did, we didn't convert like we needed to. Still a great win, and it's a win to start off the season. We'll focus our attention on New Orleans on Saturday."
 
With the Jaguars leading 34-29 more than two minutes into the fourth quarter, the Badgers' Jennifer Clark cut the deficit to just three with a layup with over seven minutes left.  South Alabama's defense limited Spring Hill to just one basket the rest of the way to hold onto the five-point victory.
 
"Defensively we stuck to the game plan," said Fowler. "They only had 33 points and we had 38, but we did what we needed to do. I thought we played pretty well outside defense, so I was pleased with that."
 
The Badgers trailed 27-18 early into the third quarter after LaNeetra Guillory hit a layup but outscored the Jaguars 11-4 for the rest of the quarter.  Erin Autio and Candice Williams had the only buckets for the Jags as they went 3-15 from the field in the quarter and had six turnovers.
 
Guillory scored the first two points of the game on a jumper in the lane, and a fast break layup off a steal by Colby Davis and a free throw by Candice Williams gave South Alabama a 5-0 lead.  Spring Hill's first basket came over five minutes into the game on a jumper by Alishia Drayton-Lewis.  Williams, Kennedi Centers and Davis added baskets to give the Jags an 11-4 lead at the end of the quarter.
 
South Alabama's largest lead came in the second quarter.  The Jags went on a 9-2 run that covered over six minutes for a 21-9 lead with over two minutes left in the half.  Guillory started the run with two free throws, and Autio then added a layup.  India Hall hit back-to-back jumpers before Guillory capped the run with another pair of free throws.
 
The Jaguars finished the game shooting 28% while Spring Hill went 27% from the field.  South Alabama had the advantage in turnovers (17-12) with eight steals and on the glass (46-38) that included 16 offensive boards.
 
Williams had a game-high 12 points and three steals, grabbed five boards and made the only three pointer of the game for the Jaguars.  Autio lead the way on the boards with a game-high seven rebounds in addition to eight points, a steal and a block.  Autio and Williams both started for the first time in their collegiate careers.
 
"It's the first time Candice Williams got major minutes and so we thought she had a decent performance," said Fowler. "I thought we rebounded the basketball decently with Erin having seven of those. I think those are things that went well."
 
Guillory provided four points, two rebounds and a block for the Jags.  Hall (four points) and Kennedi Centers (two points) combined for the only scoring off the bench.
 
Marquita Daniels did not dress for the game and has been suspended until further notice for violation of team rules.
 
The loss does not factor into the Badgers' record, as the game is only considered an exhibition for them.
 
South Alabama heads back onto the road and will face New Orleans on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
 
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).