MONROE, La. – Antoinette Lewis recorded game-high totals with 18 points and 11 rebounds to help lift the University of South Alabama to a 73-39 Sun Belt Conference women's basketball win Saturday over ULM at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

Kennedi Centers and Shaforia Kines chipped in with 12 points apiece as the Jaguars (12-11, 7-4 Sun Belt) shot 48.4 percent from the floor while turning the ball over just nine times.

Amber Thompson posted 17 points for the Warhawks (3-19, 1-10 SBC) while Diamond Brooks finished with 10 rebounds.

South Alabama 73, ULM 39 (box score)

GAME FACTS
-The Jaguars held the Warhawks without a field goal for over six minutes in the opening quarter to open up a 17-11 advantage at the end of the period.
-South extended the lead to 34-22 at the break after holding ULM to under 30 percent shooting from the floor while forcing 11 turnovers in the opening half.
-The Jags connected on 9-of-14 (64.3 percent) attempts from the floor in the third period to push their edge to 55-30 going to the fourth quarter.
-USA shot 62.9 percent (17-of-27) while limiting the Warhawks to only 16.7 percent (4-of-24) from the field in the second half.
-The Jaguars ended up with a 36-14 advantage scoring in the paint.
-South finished with a rebounding edge for the second straight game after winning the battle of the boards, 38-33.

NOTES
-USA has won each of the last seven meetings between the two teams and now holds a 19-9 advantage in the all-time series.
-It was the first time South has won a Sun Belt contest by 20-plus points since defeating the Warhawks 77-49 in Mobile on Jan. 26 last season, and the first occasion it has accomplished the feat on the road since recording a 74-44 victory at ULM on Feb. 11, 2017.
-It marked the first game that the Jags have held the opposition under 40 points since a 49-33 defeat of Stetson on March 15, 2018, in the opening round of the Women's Basketball Invitational tournament.
-The Jaguars last limited a league foe below 40 points on Feb. 13, 2013, when they defeated Louisiana 53-39 at the Mitchell Center, while it was the first time USA has given up fewer than 40 points away from home in conference action since recording a 55-39 win at New Orleans on Jan. 31, 2007.
-South matched a season low in turnovers while finishing with less than 10 miscues for the fourth time this season, although it was the first occasion it has turned the trick in Sun Belt play this year.
-It's the first time in her career that Lewis has scored in double figures in 10 straight games, while it was her 12th double-double of season.
-Centers equaled not only a career high in points but in blocks as well after pacing all players with four.
-Kines has now recorded 10 or more points in 18 games this season, tied for most on the team.
-This was the second contest in a row that Damaya Telemaque has recorded a season-high assist total after the junior led players with six; that was one more than the Warhawks were credited with as a team.
-Devyn Lowe fell one point shy of reaching double figures for the first since tying a season high with 12 points at Southern Mississippi on Dec. 15.

THEY SAID IT
Head coach Terry Fowler
Opening statement: "I thought we came out and were getting shots that weren't falling for us early, but our team hung with it and kept going.  We didn't hang our heads, which I was proud of.  We started getting some shots to fall and defensively we were playing outstanding basketball.  Before the game we talked about making sure that we play great defense because great defense travels.  It's important that we continue that on this three-game trip."
On getting contributions from numerous individuals: "We were able to move the ball and share it, the ball was finding the open player and that individual was making the play.  That's when we are at our best, when we do that; we don't have to focus on one or two players.  The main things is moving the ball and finding open players so they can play to their strength."
On Antoinette Lewis' and Kennedi Centers' play in the post: "They just feed off of each other, they have their own synergy.  It's crucial as we go down the stretch with these last seven ball games that they are out there together because they give us the best chance of being successful."

Senior Kennedi Centers
On her performance on Saturday: "I just wanted to make an early impact, we've had some bad starts this year so I wanted to help us pick it up.  I wanted to be that spark that kept us going and propelled us the whole game."
On the team's defense: "We keep talking about being in tune with what we are doing and making sure we are talking on defense.  That way we can get stops, and even if our shots aren't falling or our offense isn't coming easy we can at least hold them down to give ourselves a good chance to win."

Up next: The Jaguars will travel to Appalachian State on Thursday for the first of two road games next week, with opening tip scheduled for 11 a.m. (CST) in Boone.

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

—USA—