BOONE, N.C. – Savannah Jones shared game-high honors with 18 points and Jaylen Mallard added 15 to help the University of South Alabama earn a 66-63 Sun Belt Conference women's basketball victory over Appalachian State at the Holmes Convocation Center Friday.

Seven of Jones' points came in the final quarter — including five in a three-second span — as the Jaguars (7-4, 4-1 Sun Belt) held off a second-half rally from the Mountaineers.   Antoinette Lewis pulled down 10 rebounds and Mallard chipped in with seven as well.

Pre Stanley paced App State (5-6, 2-3 SBC) with 18 points, while Lainey Gosnell and Tierra Wilson recorded 15 and 11, respectively.  Gosnell also contributed 10 rebounds.

South Alabama 66, Appalachian State 63 (box score)

GAME FACTS
-South made 7-of-10 attempts from the floor in the first period, but after committing six turnovers the score was tied 17-17 after 10 minutes.
-The Jaguars held App State without a field goal for almost eight minutes in the second period, using a 15-2 run to take a 36-28 lead at the half.
-All four of the Mountaineers' field goals in the third quarter were from beyond the arc as they cut the deficit to 46-44 at the end of the period.
-App State went up a point twice in the last three minutes, but the Jaguars were able to answer on each occasion including with a 7-0 run in the final 75 seconds.
-South shot 45.8 percent from the field while limiting the Mountaineers to 34.3 percent on the other end of the floor.
-The Jags also made more than twice as many free throws as App State, holding a 20-8 advantage, while shooting nearly 15 points better at the foul line.

NOTES
-This was the Jaguars' first win in Boone since earning a 68-54 victory over the Mountaineers on Feb. 18, 2016.
-The Jags' field-goal percentage was their highest to date in Sun Belt action this season.
-It marked the fourth occasion in the last six contests that USA has recorded 30 or more points in the paint as they outscored App State 32-24 in the post.
-South made a season-low two three-point field goals in the contest.
-Jones led the Jaguars in scoring for the 30th time in her career in her first appearance since South's season-opening win over Mobile, as she missed the previous nine games due to injury.
-The point total was a career high for Mallard, who collected double figures in the category for the first time since posting 13 points in a win over William Carey on Dec. 8.
-It marked the 45th occasion since joining the program that Lewis has grabbed 10-plus rebounds on a contest, and it was the 65th time she has led the team on the boards in her career.
-Jayla Morrow has now been credited with at least one steal in each of the last seven outings.

THEY SAID IT
Head coach Terry Fowler
On the importance of winning the opening game of the trip: "This was a huge road win to start this trip.  It's really important if you're the road team and can come in and get that first game, then you can focus on trying to get the second one the next day.  It's the first time we've won here since 2016, I'm really proud of our kids and how hard they fought to get this victory."
On what the Jaguars did in the final quarter to secure the win: "They made their run in the fourth quarter but we were able to make a few adjustments defensively, and we did a better job of guarding the three-point line.  We also made it tough for them in the pain by walling up, which allowed us to secure rebounds.  I thought we executed better in the half court in the final minutes as well, but one of the keys was getting a couple of baskets in transition."
On Savannah Jones' return from injury: "Having Savannah Jones back was a huge plus for us, she is an all-conference level player.  She came in and it looked like she hadn't missed a beat, she stepped right in and played like she is capable of playing.  We're excited to have her the rest of the way."

Up next: USA and App State will play the second of two games in Boone this weekend at 3 p.m. (CST) on Saturday.

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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