SAN MARCOS, Texas – The University of South Alabama women's basketball team (9-5, 2-1 SBC) dropped its first Sun Belt Conference matchup of the season to the Texas State Bobcats (9-5, 2-1 SBC) on the road on Thursday, 78-63.
 
Savannah Jones lead the Jags with 19 points off the bench on a 6-of-14 shooting night, including 4-for-7 from beyond the arc. The redshirt freshman also made 4-of-5 shots from the charity-stripe and grabbed four boards, while collecting a helper and a takeaway.
 
Chyna Ellis was the only other Jag to reach double-digits, scoring 11 points and collecting 13 rebounds for a double-double. The senior center also rejected four shots and had an assist in the loss.
 
Erin Autio scored eight points on a 3-of-7 shooting night, making a pair of three-pointers. The senior guard also brought down five rebounds and had an assist.
 
Texas State had four players reach double-digits in points, led by Toshua Leavitt. Leavitt dropped 28 points, making 11-of-19 shots, while going 6-of-13 from beyond the arc.
 
GAME FACTS
- The Jags got off to a rough start in the first quarter shooting 5-of-18 from the field, including 1-of-8 on three-point attempts.
- The Bobcats led 24-12 after the first, shooting 50 percent from the field and 75 percent from the beyond the arc.
- The Jaguars were outscored in the second 21-14 and trailed by 19 at the end of the first-half, the largest halftime deficit the Jaguars have faced this season.
- USA came roaring back in the third going on a 14-2 across a span of over 5:30 of action, and cut the Bobcat lead to nine as they headed to the fourth quarter.
- Texas State closed out the game by outscoring the Jags by six in the final frame to take the matchup.
- The two squads tied in rebounds and second chance points with 42 and 16 in each category, respectively.
- The Jags lost the turnover battle 17-7, as the Bobcats converted those takeaways into 20 points.
- USA took the points in the paint by the slight margin of 28-26.
 
NOTES
- Ellis had three or more blocks in a game for the seventh time this season.
- The senior center is a mere six points away from reaching 1,000 for her career and 11 blocks from becoming the all-time leader SBC history.
- Jones had double-digit points for the sixth time in her last seven games, including three-straight.
- Tonight was Ellis' sixth double-double and sixth game with 10 or more rebounds this season.
- Texas State attempted 75 shots, the most by a USA opponent this season.
- South Alabama is 0-5 when trailing at halftime.
- This is only the second game of the 2017-18 campaign the Jags have lost when scoring 60 or more points.
 
THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Terry Fowler
Opening Statement: "They [Texas State] came out, played well and made some shots. We didn't make shots early and I thought it affected us on the defensive end of floor. This game was opposite of our last two games where we came out and got a big lead and playing good defense. The most disappointing thing about tonight was letting our offense affect our defense."
 
On overcoming the first-half struggles and playing well in the third quarter: "We got their lead down to five, but they got it back to nine to start the fourth quarter. We told our team to just get it down to under 10 to start the fourth quarter and let's play from there. But again they have some players that can put the ball in the basket and got some easy baskets off dumpoffs underneath the rim. We had every opportunity to get back and win the game. We have to move on and UTA is the next opponent we need to be ready to play against."
 
UP NEXT
The Jaguars look to get back on the winning end as they finish the Texas road swing at UTA on Saturday. Opening tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Arlington.
 
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—