MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama women's basketball team defeated cross-town opponent Spring Hill College 89-45 in their season opener at the Mitchell Center.
The Jags are now 7-0 all-time against Spring Hill under head coach
Terry Fowler. The Jags now have a 6-4 mark under Fowler in season openers.
Senior forward
Kiana Anderson led the way with 14 points in 17 minutes.
The Jags had a dominant second half, outscoring Spring Hill 43-17.
GAME FACTS
- The Jags took an early lead in the 1st quarter and led the Badgers 9-2 after three minutes of play.
- Spring Hill cut the lead to just two before the Jags pulled away again, leading 16-10 at the end of the first quarter.
- The Jags then went on a 16-0 run to start the second quarter, leading Spring Hill 32-15 with five minutes left in the half.
- Spring Hill tried to cut the Jaguar lead, but South held them off to take a 46-28 lead at the half.
- The Jags extended their lead early in the 3rd quarter, going on a 14-4 run.
- South is then able to hold Spring Hill to just nine third-quarter points.
- Back-to-back threes by Casey Ferguson extends the lead, putting South up 35 points with seven minutes left in the game.
- South continues to score, while holding off Spring Hill, to come out on top with an 89-45 win.
NOTES
- The Jags never trailed in the game.
- Anderson led the offense with 14 points, with Jordan Rosier and Nadia Howard close behind with 11 each.
- Freshman Kelsey Thompson totaled eight points off the bench.
- The Jags totaled 41 bench points in Monday's win.
- South totaled 34 points from turnovers while holding Spring Hill to 10 points off turnovers.
- South's biggest scoring run came in the 2nd quarter when they totaled 16 unanswered points.
- Anderson also led the team in rebounds, recording a career-high 11.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Terry Fowler:
On being back on the court and playing:
"I am just really excited for this group. I told them going into the exhibition game that I was excited for them to get on the floor and get back out there in a real ballgame. It was critical for us. We talked about defending our home court this year so I think that's something this group has prioritized. Everything is for real now so we've got to really execute and do the things it takes to be successful."
On the makeup of the team:
"This group's got a lot of depth. If you looked at our teams in the past, even our backups were similar to the person in front. This group is totally different. Someone can come in and replace someone who's got a different game. We're more athletic, we've got more depth in every position. That's what's exciting about this group because I think they can really grow."
Senior forward Kiana Anderson:
On being back on the court and playing:
"Tonight was really fun, especially since we were winning. Everybody played their part and did everything they needed to do."
On the feeling on the court:
"We were just trusting each other and trusting our work, knowing what we do in practice and then coming out on the floor and executing and doing what we do everyday, that's nice."
On her performance and what she is pleased with:
"I am pleased with my physicality. I was able to actually play to my strengths, which is to be physical without getting a lot of fouls called."
On the team as a whole:
"I feel like we have a good relationship with each other. We can take criticism and we help each other out. No man left behind."
UP NEXT
The Jaguars travel to Auburn on Thursday, Nov. 10, for a matchup inside Neville Arena at 7 p.m.
FOLLOW THE JAGS
For complete coverage of South Alabama women's basketball, follow the Jags on social media @SouthAlabamaWBB (Twitter), /SouthAlabamaAthletics (Facebook), @southalabamawbb (Instagram) or visit the official home of South Alabama athletics at usajaguars.com.
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