TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of South Alabama women's basketball team went into Tuscaloosa and earned a 72-67 non-conference road victory over Alabama at the Coleman Coliseum on Wednesday afternoon. It was the Jags first win in Tuscaloosa, third-straight win against the Tide, and first victory against a SEC team since defeating Ole Miss 67-60 eight years ago to the date in 2010. 
 
Alabama took control of the game early and led the Jags 18-9 at the conclusion of the first quarter. South gained their composure and took charge of the contest late in the second quarter. Damaya Telemaque capped off a 14-0 run with a two-pointer to give the Jags a three-point lead heading into halftime. Although Alabama made various comebacks in the second half, South did not give back the lead once they gained it for the first time. 

Shaforia Kines and Telemaque led the way for South. Kines led the offense on the floor all day and put up 17 points, along with a team-high five assists. With three minutes to play in the game Telemaque hit a three to make it a nine-point game and give the Jags their largest lead of the day. The freshman guard finished with a team-high 19 points and four assists.

At 7-0 the Jags are off to their second best start in program history. The 1984-1985 team started the season 12-0 before they were handed their first loss. 

GAME FACTS
- Coming off of her Sun Belt Player of the Week honor, Antoinette Lewis scored 14 points and brought down a team-high nine rebounds. It was her second game in a row missing a double-double by one rebound. 
- After missing the game against Tennessee State, Savannah Jones returned to the starting lineup and put up seven points.  
- South put up 32 points in the paint, marking the fourth time this season with at least 30 in the paint. 
- The Jags outscored Alabama 22-10 in the second quarter, ending the quarter on a 14-0 run. 
- The 14-0 run is the largest South Alabama scoring run of the season. 
- South shot 61.5 percent compared to the Tide's 30 percent in the second quarter to take a three-point lead heading into halftime. 
- The Jags shot 48.2 percent from the floor for the game and 38.9 percent from beyond the arc, while Alabama shot 34.4 percent and 25.8 percent respectively. 
- Telemaque and Kines combined for 24 of South's 31 points in the first half. 
- Telemaque and Kines contributed to Alabama's 17 turnovers with two steals apiece. 
- The Tide out-rebounded the Jags 12-6 on the offensive side of the glass and 39-37 overall. 
- Alabama ended the first quarter on a 7-0 scoring run to outscore the Jags 18-9 in the opening quarter.


NOTES
- With the win, South moves to 7-0 for the second time in program history. 
- This was the Jags first road win over a SEC opponent since they earned a 71-64 victory in Gainesville, Fla., over the University of Florida on January, 9 1986. 
- South handed Alabama its first non-conference loss on its home court since Mercer defeated them 46-39 on December 14, 2014. 
- This is the first time the Jags have gotten a win against Alabama in Tuscaloosa. They were previously 0-10 on the road against the Tide.
- Heading into the game Alabama had won its first four games at home this season, with opponents averaging 49 points per game. The Jags 72 points was 16 points more than any other opponent they faced on home court. 
- Telemaque led the Jags in scoring for the third time in her seven-game career. 
- Seven-consecutive wins in one season is tied for the eighth longest win streak in a single season for the program.  
- Dating back to last season, the Jags have won six road games in a row; the streak is tied for the second longest road-win streak in program history. 
- The Jags have now won three straight against the Crimson Tide for the first time in program history.  

THEY SAID IT
Head coach Terry Fowler
Opening Statement: "I'm so proud of our kids. The thing I talked about all week long is if we could weather the first quarter, I felt good about our chances. We were able to come back and get used to the speed of the game. We were able to make plays, cut down on turnovers, and rebound the basketball. That was exciting for us." 

On adjustments after the first quarter: "Coming in here, we're not used to playing those 6 foot guards. Their players can shoot the ball and they have size. Adjusting to those things was key and from that point on, we just played." 

On the Jags composure: "All along we wanted to make sure we competed. We knew they were going to make a run there. We came out and executed a few things and then we were able to make some stops and turn those into plays. Credit to our kids, they really followed the game plan and executed."

On Damaya Telemaque: "Damaya, we felt like she was a different kind of player. We were able to bring her in and sign her. She has come right in and helped contribute. She doesn't feel like a freshman playing. She's built for the moments. That three she hit, that was huge. It takes a lot go guts to do that. It was big time. "


Up next: South Alabama home to take on Alabama State on December, 9. Tip off versus the Hornets is set for 3 p.m. at the Mitchell Center. 

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the South Circle, the unrestricted giving option of the University of South Alabama Athletics. Contributions to South Circle directly support all 17 sports in addition to various support programming. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/give

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