MOBILE, Ala. – Freshman
Kelsey Thompson led the Jags with 17 points, as South defeated Texas State 45-43 to earn their first conference win of the season.
Thompson's 17 points were her sixth double-figure game this season and her sixth time leading the Jags in scoring.
Kiana Anderson and
Nadia Howard both totaled nine points in the win. Howard and
Maggie Robinson totaled eight boards each, while Anderson racked up seven.
The Bobcats were led by Tianna Eaton, who had a double-double, with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
South held Texas State to 43 points, the lowest allowed by the Jaguars this season. The Bobcats totaled just 30 rebounds: another season low for Jag opponents this season.
South Alabama (5-14, 1-7 Sun Belt) hits the road next week, traveling to in-state for Troy on Thursday night and ULM on Saturday.
GAME FACTS
- The Jags and the Bobcats started slow, with the game tied 2-2 with five minutes to go in the first quarter.
- South capitalized on a Texas State scoring drought to take a 13-8 lead after one quarter.
- The Jags continued to lead into the second quarter, leading 20-12 with 5:23 left before half.
- South hit a scoring drought to close out the half but was able to maintain a 26-22 lead going into the half.
- The Jags and the Bobcats battled in the third quarter, with the game tied 32-32 with three minutes to go in the third quarter.
- Texas State took the lead early in the fourth, leading 35-34 with nine to go.
- South retook the lead with seven minutes to go, after a Kiana Anderson layup.
- Texas State took the lead again, this time with 1:44 to go, leading 41-40.
- The Jags battled back, winning the game 45-43.
NOTES
- Maggie Robinson now holds the longest streak for games started, with 15.
- Kelsey Thompson paced the Jags with 17 points, her sixth double-figure game.
- Robinson and Nadia Howard both totaled eight boards.
- South held Texas State to just 43 points, the fewest points allowed by the Jags this season.
- The win was South's first conference win this season.
- Thompson totaled eight field goals: a career high.
- The game had eight lead changes and was tied six times.
- South led for a total of 30 minutes in the game.
- The win snapped a 17-game conference losing streak dating back to last season.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Terry Fowler:
Opening statement:
"So excited for our kids, they did a great job. We talked early this morning and before the game that the focus was just to have fun and play relaxed. We have been tense and tight, so we just put emphasis on being relaxed and if things didn't go our way, just staying in the joyful moment, and I thought we did that for the most part tonight. We played great defense, holding a team like that to 43 points, it was just huge. We had big a big game from everybody. Rebounding was a big difference as well, holding them to just eight offensive rebounds after getting outrebounded on Thursday. Just so proud of our team, and so happy for them to have this moment. Can't thank our crowd enough, they really made a difference late in the ball game when we had to get stops. This is a good moment and to do it against a quality team like Texas State is good."
On the locker room atmosphere:
"It was exciting. That was a winning locker room."
On Kelsey Thompson's performance:
"It was huge. She was able to get in the flow and get some things going. She got some shots early and gained confidence and from that point on we were able to run things through her and she made plays. She's got the ability to put it in the basket herself, but she also has the IQ to make the right play and give the ball to the right player."
Freshman Kelsey Thompson:
On her performance:
"I just played free and with the team. That's the biggest difference because sometimes I take over and sometimes I don't because I want to give everybody the ball. But this week when I talked to coaches and with my teammates coming up to me and saying how much they need me and how I am capable of what I did in the fourth quarter, it gave me confidence in the game. It helps me just move on to the next play, which is something I struggled with early in the year and still struggle with now. Today I learned that the next play matters."
On gaining confidence:
"It's exciting but it's kind of weird. I know what I am capable of, but I am so into the team that I give the ball up, it's not on purpose I just want everybody to have it. The confidence they gave me in the fourth quarter really helped me to go get a bucket."
On the locker room:
"It was so good; I am so happy to see everybody smiling. I just felt relief when the buzzer went off, especially since it happened on defense since we have been that defense leads our offense. So, for us to get the defensive stop, the locker room was so happy and fun."
UP NEXT
The Jaguars hit the road for matchups at Troy and ULM.
FOLLOW THE JAGS
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