MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama women's basketball's rally fell short, dropping the close matchup with Alabama State 58-56.
Freshman
Michiyah Simmons paced the Jags with 13 points, her second time this season leading the team in scoring. Simmons went 6-6 from the free throw line, a season-high for her.
Tristen Washington was the next-highest scorer with 12.
Kiana Anderson had 10.
The loss was the fifth game of the season with three Jags in double figures.
Zena Elias led the Jags in rebounding in the loss, totaling 10, a season-high. Elias also had six points.
The Jags shot 75.0% from the free-throw line, a season-high.
The Lady Hornets had three players in double figures, with Ayana Emmanuel leading the team with 20.
The Jags close out nonconference play next Tuesday, Dec. 20, at the Mitchell Center against Mississippi Valley State
GAME FACTS
- The Jags and Hornets both had a slow start, with Alabama State leading 5-4 with five minutes to go in the first quarter.
- The teams traded baskets back and forth before Alabama State jumped to a 17-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.
- The Jags and the Hornets both had a scoring drought to start the second quarter, with Alabama State still leading 17-13 with 7:44 to go in the first half. The Hornets ended the drought by making four free throws to take a 21-13 lead.
- Kiana Anderson made three-straight layups to cut into the lead, with the Lady Hornets leading by four with four minutes to go in the first half.
- Alabama State led South 29-26 at the half.
- The Jags and the Hornets traded baskets once again to open the third quarter, with the game tied at 34 with five to go in the third quarter.
- Alabama State was able to get a lead again, leading 45-40 at the end of the third quarter.
- Alabama State made back-to-back baskets to extend their lead to 49-43 with six to go in the fourth, then extended their lead to 53-43 with five to go in the game.
- The Jags made three buckets in a row to cut the Hornet lead to 53-50 with 2:44 to go in the game.
- Alabama State held off the Jaguar rally, winning the matchup 58-56.
NOTES
- Nadia Howard earned her tenth start of the season, making her the only Jag to start all games this season.
- Howard currently has the longest starting streak on the team, starting 29 games, dating back to last season.
- The Jags started the same lineup as the previous game – Zena Elias, Howard, Tristen Washington, Jordan Rosier and Maggie Robinson.
- Michiyah Simmons led the Jags with 13 points, her second time pacing the Jags this season.
- Tristen Washington totaled 12 points, her second double-digit game of the season.
- Kiana Anderson totaled 10, her fourth game this season in double figures.
- Zena Elias totaled 10 rebounds. The loss was her fourth time this season leading the team in rebounds.
- The Jags posted their highest free throw percentage (75.0%) of the season.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Terry Fowler:
Opening statement:
"This one is heartbreaking. To give our kids credit, we fought and gave ourselves a chance to win the ball game but we left too many opportunities on the floor. We had missed opportunities in transition and some stuff in the post, we just didn't get the ball to the net. We just weren't aggressive, we only had 12 free throws. We need to get the ball inside the paint and try to be more aggressive. To Alabama State's credit, they did a great job of getting the ball on the inside and posting up, and Ayana Emmanuel comes out and makes four of her first five three-pointers in the first half to get going. That led to us being down, but we've gotta learn and continue to grow."
On finding good things from a loss:
"It went down to the last play, we tried to get the ball back and give ourselves an opportunity. That's what I told our kids, I was proud of that. In the middle of the third quarter we left some opportunities on the floor. We gave up 58 points, so defensively, you feel good about that. We've just gotta be able to go out and get 62."
UP NEXT
The Jaguars close out their conference slate on Tuesday, Dec. 20, with a matchup against Mississippi Valley State.
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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