MONROE, La. – The University of South Alabama women's basketball team (15-5, 8-1 SBC) extended its win streak to six as they hung on against the ULM Warhawks (4-15, 1-9 SBC), 67-60, on the road in Monroe. The Jags' 8-1 Sun Belt Conference record is the best start in conference play in program history since the SBC expanded the schedule to 16 games for the 1991-92 season.
 
Savannah Jones led the way for South Alabama scoring 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting, all from three-point range. The six made three-pointers ties for fourth-most in a game in program history and the redshirt freshman is the second player to do so this season, Erin Autio drained six at Alabama State on Nov. 28.
 
Autio joined Jones as the only two Jags to reach double-figures in scoring with 16. The senior shot 6-of-9 from the field, 4-for-6 from beyond the arc, grabbed six rebounds, and had an assist, rejection and steal in the win.
 
Genesis Perrymond recorded nine points on 3-of-6 shooting from three-point range. The senior guard collected four assists, a block and a steal in the victory.
 
Chyna Ellis brought down nine rebounds and rejected four shots, while collecting six points. Shaforia Kines had a game-high six helpers while turning the ball over just once and had five points and five boards.
 
Antoinette Lewis came up big down the stretch for USA scoring eight points in the final four minutes of the game. The freshman forward also collected four rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal.
 
Gabriella Cortez and Arsula Clark were led the Warhawks in scoring with 21 and 16, respectively. Cortez went 16-for-17 at the charity-stripe, but was 2-of-10 from the field, including 1-for-7 on three-point attempts. Clark went 7-of-14 from the field and grabbed 13 rebounds for a double-double.
 
GAME FACTS
- The Jags came out firing in the first quarter going on a 9-0 run, with a pair of three-pointers by Perrymond and one by Autio.
- USA led 23-14 after one and were 5-of-9 from beyond the arc.
- South Alabama outscored ULM by a narrow margin, 15-13, in the second, and took a 38-27 lead into halftime.
- The Jags had 10 second-chance points in the first-half.
- The Warhawks didn't make a field-goal in the final seven minutes of the second quarter.
- USA outscored ULM 17-14 to take a 14-point lead into the fourth.
- The Warhawks started the fourth on a 10-0 run and cut the Jag lead to four.
- Autio came off the bench in the final frame and drained a three-pointer to end the run with 4:46 remaining in the game.
- Lewis made a pair from the charity-stripe as part of and-ones in the final four minutes to help seal the game for the Jags.
- USA outrebounded ULM 46-38, including 15-7 on the offensive glass.
- South Alabama turned its 15 offensive boards into 18 second-chance points.
- The Jags won the turnover battle 14-16, but the Warhawks had 20 points off turnovers to USA's eight.
- South Alabama shot 14-of-35 from three-point range (40 percent).
 
NOTES
- 15 wins this season matches head coach Terry Fowler's season-high at USA set in 2015-16.
- This is South Alabama's best overall record since the 2003-04 team started 16-4.
- The Jags are on a three-game SBC road win streak, the second longest in program history.
- USA is three wins away from the 600th in program history.
- Perrymond is in a tie for 8th all-time in program history with 107 made three-pointers in her career.
- 35 three-point attempts are the most in a game this season.
- Ellis has had four-straight games with three or more blocks, 12 for the season.
- Autio had her firth game this season in double-figure scoring.
- Jones has scored more than 10 points in eight of her last nine games.
- Ellis was held under 10 points for back-to-back games for the first time this season.
- USA is 12-0 when leading at halftime this season.
- South Alabama is 13-2 when scoring 60 or more points in a game this season.
 
THEY SAID IT
USA head coach Terry Fowler
On the win at ULM: "When we went inside and they starting doubling us and we turned it over. I thought we started calling too many plays, so we started to let them flow out of our secondary break. We knew this team wouldn't quit and we had to play for 40 minutes. We'll take this one on the road."
 
Biggest takeaway heading into Troy this weekend: "The thing is we just have to keep getting better. When you start playing two games a week, your preparation focuses on the other teams. We need to start focusing on us. This week gives us a great opportunity to do that. Then we'll focus on Troy later in the week."
 
On the win streak and depth of the team: "We have a balanced group. We have depth. It could be anybody on any given night that steps up for us. There are a couple players on our bench that could just as easily be out there contributing as well."
 
Senior G Erin Autio
On stepping up and hitting a big shot to turn the tide in the fourth: "The coaches believed in me to put me in to make something happen. When I came off the screen and saw that I had an opening, I let it fly and hoped it would go in. It helped that my teammates believed in me."
 
On what is different about this team compared to her previous season: "I think we have heart, not to discredit the last two years because I think we've had heart every year. We have five seniors. We're not necessarily all leaders, but we're experienced in game situations and the underclassman are really good at keeping us going and preparing for games in practice."
 
Freshman F Antoinette Lewis
On helping the team when it counted after missing shots early in the game: "It was good. Genesis (Perrymond) talked to me during the game to build up my confidence because she saw I was getting down on myself. But it's always good to have teammates to talk to help you and build your confidence up when it's time to play.
 
On her first-year at USA and being a part of a turnaround from last year: "It's really exciting. I knew when I was being recruited that I was coming to a flip of the program. I am excited that we're bonding and having fun and laughing. It's fun when you win."
 
Redshirt freshman G Savannah Jones
On her performance the last two games. "Everything starts with my mindset before the game. I always just try and get focused. I just focused on setting my screens right like coach Yo[lisha Jackson] told me to do. It helped me get open and my teammates found me for open shots."

UP NEXT
The Jaguars remain on the road for a rivalry matchup at Troy on Saturday.
 
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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—USA—