MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama's women's basketball team (7-8, 2-2) fell to Texas-Arlington (11-3, 4-0) 73-49 on Thursday night at the Mitchell Center.  The Mavericks took control of the game in the second quarter, outscoring the Jaguars 23-9 to enter halftime with a 15-point lead.
 
"I thought we got off to a good start in the first quarter," said head coach Terry Fowler.  "We really played and competed. I thought we lost an advantage when Chyna Ellis got into foul trouble and was only able to play for (seven) minutes in the first half. We had no answer for (Rebekah) Vandijk from that point on. Their pressure through four quarters is really what got us. They had 33 points off of turnovers; that's a recipe for a loss. We have to do better taking care of the basketball. I thought we fought hard in the fourth quarter and showed some signs of getting life to try and come back. UTA is a really good basketball team.  We just have to get ready to bounce back against Texas State on Saturday."
 
The Jaguars had an early lead in the first quarter.  After Texas-Arlington jumped out to a 4-2 lead, South Alabama went on a 7-0 run.  Candice Williams hit a jumper off a pass by Colby Davis, and Chyna Ellis knocked down a three-pointer from a dish by Genesis Perrymond in the next possession.  LaNeetra Guillory capped the run with a jumper of her own from Williams.
 
The Mavericks went on a 14-2 run after Chyna Ellis had to sit out the rest of first half when she picked up her second foul with 2:45 left in the first quarter.  After Guillory made a layup on a two-on-one fast break with Shaforia Kines, Texas-Arlington went on another run, this time a 12-2 run.  While Texas-Arlington committed more turnovers (5-4) in the second quarter, it was able to capitalize more on offense with a 7-3 edge in points off turnovers.  The Mavericks also turned both offensive rebounds in the quarter into four points.
 
Texas-Arlington cemented its victory by outscoring South Alabama 24-15 in the third quarter.  The Jaguars were able to cut their deficit to 12 points halfway through the quarter.  Ellis had the first four points of the second half for the Jags with a pair of free throws and a jumper in the paint. Williams hit a fast break jumper, Guillory split a pair of free throws and Colby Davis knocked down a three.
 
The Mavericks responded with a 14-2 run, scoring in five of their next six possessions.  Once again they were able to capitalize off the Jags' turnovers, getting nine of their 11 points off turnovers in the quarter in the three plus minute run.
 
South Alabama was able to get cut its deficit to 16 points in the fourth quarter by starting the quarter on an 11-2 run.  Ellis knocked down two three-pointers and a free throw and Williams and Davis had layups.  Texas-Arlington ended the rally with a 12-1 run that gave it its biggest lead of the game.
 
"I think losing Chyna took some air out of us, but regardless we have to be ready to play," said Fowler.  "This team has responded every time we have to come back and play one, so I expect nothing less. We have to make sure our kids get rest tonight and get hydrated and be ready for film and floor work tomorrow. It's a quick turnaround and we have to be ready to play."
 
Texas-Arlington outscored South Alabama 32-16 in points in the paint and 18-7 in second chance points with a 39-26 rebounding advantage.  Despite having just one less one turnover (20-19), the Mavericks also outscored the Jags 33-14 in points off turnovers.
 
The Mavericks shot 50.9% (29-57) from the field and 76.9% (10-13) from three while the Jags were just 39.1% (18-46) from the field and 33.3% (5-15) from three.
 
Ellis set a new season-high in points with a game-high 17, going 5-10 from the field with four rebounds, a team-high three steals and a game-high four blocks.  Coming into the game just 4-27 in her career from behind the three-point line this season, she hit three of four three-point field goal attempts.
 
Guillory was the second leading scorer for the Jags by going 4-6 from the field and also had a block, rebound and steal.  Perrymond dished out a game-high six assists with just one turnover.
 
South Alabama hosts the other Sun Belt Texas school Texas State on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
 
The 2017 Sun Belt Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Championships are scheduled for a week of March Madness in the Big Easy.  New Orleans will once again be home to the two championships that will take place at Lakefront Arena from March 7-12 and ticket books can now be purchased from your our ticket office.  For more information, visit the Sun Belt Conference's championship central websites - Men's Championship – Women's Championship – and be sure to follow the @FunBelt on social media - @SunBelt.
 
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).