CONWAY, S.C. – Shaforia Kines scored 15 of her game-high 30 points in the final period Saturday, but a fourth-quarter rally from the University of South Alabama women's basketball fell just short in a 76-73 loss to Sun Belt Conference co-leader Coastal Carolina at the HTC Center.
The senior was 7-of-11 from beyond the three-point arc — including making 4-of-5 attempts in the last 10 minutes — and grabbed six rebounds for the Jaguars (12-13, 7-6 Sun Belt), who had three other individuals finish in double figures. Jala Buster provided 14 points and Savannah Jones added 10, while Antoinette Lewis recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
DJ Williams answered with a triple-double for the Chanticleers (21-3, 11-2 SBC), posting 22 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. Naheria Hamilton also had a double-double for CCU, adding 12 points and 13 boards, while Aja Blount chipped in with 19 points and Caitlin Roche 10.
Coastal Carolina 76, South Alabama 73 (box score)
GAME FACTS
-Five of the Jaguars' nine baskets in the first quarter came from behind the three-point line to help build a 25-20 advantage.
-Coastal used a 10-0 run that began in the final minute of the opening period and a defense that limited USA to 3-of-17 shooting overall in the second quarter to lead 37-35 at the half.
-That edge would grow to as many as nine points before the Chanticleers ended up with a 55-49 advantage at the end of three periods, with CCU making 8-of-14 shots in the quarter.
-Down six with less than three minutes to go, Kines hit a three-pointer and added a free-throw after a Lewis basket to tie the score, 70-70, with a minute-and-a-half remaining.
-Williams made the first of two free-throw attempts at the 1:12 mark to put Coastal back in front, while it was her steal and layup with eight seconds to go that sealed the win for CCU.
-The Jags hit 13 three-point field goals while allowing just two, but the Chants had 10 more attempts — making eight of those — at the foul line.
NOTES
-It's the first time in the series between the two schools that CCU has won both match-ups in the regular season.
-Williams became the first opponent to record a triple-double against the Jaguars since Louisiana Tech's Shantel Hardison had one on March 12, 1992.
-South finished with a season-best three-point field goal total, marking the second time this season that it has con-verted 10-plus in back-to-back outings; the Jags also accomplished the feat against Tennessee State (Nov. 30) and Auburn (Dec. 4) prior to the start of league action.
-USA forced the Chanticleers to commit 20 turnovers, making it the seventh occasion this year that the opposition has been charged with 20 or more.
-It was the third game this season that the Jaguars have been credited with 10 or more steals, but the first time that has happened in a regular season Sun Belt contest since visiting Arkansas State on Feb. 7 last winter.
-Kines set career highs in scoring and three-point field goals, tying a school record in the latter category recorded on five previous occasions (including twice by Jones last season).
-Seven of Lewis' 13 double-doubles this season have come against SBC opponents.
-Buster also set a new career high in points — her previous best was a 13-point effort in a Nov. 26 win over Mobile — while scoring 10-plus points for the sixth time this season.
THEY SAID IT
Head coach Terry Fowler
On the end of the game: "That was tough. Our kids fought, we had every opportunity to pull this one out. Unfortu-nately it didn't go our way, but I am proud of the kids. We have to move forward from this, but this was one you needed to get and it felt like we should've had it."
On Shaforia Kines' performance: "That was huge for her. I've said all year long that she is the straw that stirs the drink for us, she came out and tried to carry us on her back all the way until the end."
On returning home for the team's next three games: "We need to be consistent because we haven't always re-sponded with another great performance like we had tonight. That will be the challenge this week in practice."
Up next: The Jags will play host to Arkansas State Thursday, with the contest slated to begin at 11 a.m. (CST).
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).
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—USA—
