MOBILE, Ala. – Devyn Lowe hit a three-point basket with 25 seconds remaining and Antoinette Lewis blocked an attempt from beyond the arc at the buzzer to help lift the University of South Alabama to a 55-52 come-from-behind Sun Belt Conference women's basketball victory over Coastal Carolina Saturday at the Mitchell Center.

The duo — who shared game-high honors with 13 points apiece — led the Jaguars (6-4, 3-1 Sun Belt) back from an eight-point deficit in the final four minutes, with Lewis finishing the contest with eight rebounds and three blocks as well.

Tiarra Davis scored 10 points and Ashley Saintigene grabbed 10 rebounds to pace the Chanticleers (3-3, 0-2 SBC), who also got nine points from both Janeen Camp and Deaja Richardson.

South Alabama 55, Coastal Carolina 52 (box score)

GAME FACTS
-CCU led 14-10 at the end of the opening quarter after holding the Jaguars to 4-of-19 shooting in the period.
-The Chants did not allow a field goal for a stretch of over seven-and-a-half minutes in the second period and were ahead 29-22 at the half.
-The Jaguars scored the first six points of the second half and ended the third quarter on an 8-2 run in the final two-and-a-half minutes to go up 39-38 with 10 minutes remaining in the contest.
-CCU rebounded with a 9-2 spurt to begin the final quarter, and extended its lead to 52-44 with just over four minutes to go on a Kaylin West jumper.
-South recorded the last 11 points of the contest, with the Chants missing their final five attempts from the field while turning the ball over three times during that stretch.
-The Jags forced 23 turnovers to overcome 32.2 percent shooting from the floor and a 44-35 rebounding advantage for the Chanticleers.

NOTES
-This was the first time the Jaguars have defeated CCU in consecutive contests since sweeping the regular-season series during the 2018-19 campaign.
-The Chanticleers' turnover total matched the most committed by a South opponent this winter — William Carey also had 23 in a Jag victory over Dec. 8 — while it was the fourth occasion in the last five outings that USA has forced 20 or more miscues.
-The Jaguars' 22 points at the break and 55 total were their fewest recorded this season.
-It's the first time Lewis has scored 10-plus points in three consecutive games since the opening three outings of the year.
-Lowe has now scored in double figures and connected on two or more three-point field goals in six straight contests.
-Jayla Morrow's five rebounds were her second-highest total of the season while she was also credited with two steals, making it the fifth time in the last six outings that the senior has recorded multiple thefts.
-With four steals, it was the fifth occasion this season that Mahogany Vaught has finished with three or more in a game.
-It was the fifth game this year — and first since the Jaguars' league opener against Georgia Southern on Jan. 1 — that Jadona Davis has finished with five or more rebounds in a contest.

THEY SAID IT
Head coach Terry Fowler
Opening statement: "Today was tough, we knew we would get a really good shot from them today.  We made some adjustments in the first half, we were able to figure it out and make the adjustments towards the end of the second quarter.  We cannot credit our team enough for being able to stay strong and keep fighting.  At halftime, we talked about continuing to fight and believe; this is what we tell them every day.  In these last two ball games, we haven't turned the ball over, and people haven't been able to score off of our turnovers because we've been able to defend.  We gave up 57 one night and 52 tonight, so I am pleased with our defense — if we can continue defending this way then we can be great moving forward."
On completing the comeback in the final minutes: "The biggest thing we told our shooters was to catch the ball and be ready to shoot it, and it worked.  They put in the work today, they are here shooting all the time, so if one doesn't fall in then the next one will; we want them to keep their confidence because they've done the work.  I thought Antoinette gave us a big lift coming in, we were able to go in to her on three straight possessions where she was able to score.  On the last play, [associate head] Coach [Dan] Presel drew it up, they doubled so she kicked it back out to Devyn and she let it fly with confidence.  That was huge for us, and to make the stop at the end was big"
On the difficulty in beating the same opponent two nights in a row: "It is really difficult to beat a team back-to-back, we talked about that before the game.  We compared last week to this week, and we noticed we need to focus more and improve our energy — like Devyn said — coming out on the second night.  If you win the first night, that team is coming out with something to prove on the second day.  It's tough when you're playing the same team to get everybody back up for that."

Senior forward/center Antoinette Lewis
On finding Lowe for the game-winning shot: "Sometimes I get doubled in practice, but it's about knowing the game.  There hasn't been a conference game where I have not been doubled, and I don't think there will ever be one where I don't get doubled.  I anticipate it, and I know that my teammates are not afraid to knock down the shots when I get it back to them."
On coming back for the win: "We told ourselves from the beginning that we were not playing our best basketball.  We were not playing with our best effort on defense, and we did not have the same energy as yesterday.  Don't let them shoot and don't foul, just play solid defense — those were the thoughts that allowed us to win the game.  We fought hard this weekend, and we are proud to bring home two wins."
On battling in the post for two straight days: "It was tough going in on the second day, it seemed like every time I turned around there were three people on me boxing me out.  I heard their coach making it a point of emphasis this game.  I'm just glad we were able to come out on top."

Redshirt junior guard Devyn Lowe
On the game-winning shot: "We drew up the play, and we knew if they doubled inside that I could trust Antoinette to kick the ball out because she makes great plays.  She found me in the open corner, and I was able to knock it down.  I had a pretty good feeling it was a straight shot because it didn't feel like any of my other shots today.  I was confident in it, and when it dropped it was a sigh of relief."
On each team making a run in the fourth period: "In the final quarter, we stuck to the course.  We talked about how we were going to make a run and how they were going to make a run, but regardless we had to stay on the course.  We believed in ourselves; we're a very confident team, which is something that our coaches preach to us.  They say these things in practice, and we know that we are more than capable of anything so we just have trust in ourselves."
On how the team was able to rally: "I think our energy is what pulled this game off.  At halftime, we were not pleased with our effort level and we wanted to change it.  We knew these back-to-back games would be challenging for us, but we couldn't let fatigue win.  In the first half they wanted it more than we did, and we let how tired we were get the best of us.  However, at the half we said we were not going to do that anymore.  We made a point of emphasis to stay together and keep fighting.  We believed in ourselves, and at the end of the day we could not let fatigue win."
On playing through injuries: "It feels great because I've had games taken away from me on multiple occasions, so I love whenever I get the opportunity to get back out there.  At this point, it's just about having fun.  I'm in my fourth year now, and just knowing that I have that opportunity is a blessing from God, and I am thankful for it."

Up next: The Jaguars go on the road for the first time in Sun Belt play when they visit Appalachian State Friday, with opening tip of the contest slated for 5 p.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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