DENVER, Colo. – Nevada took an early lead in the first quarter, and South Alabama was unable to cut the deficit, suffering their second loss of the season in the opening game of the Denver Classic, falling to Nevada 62-73.
 
Junior guard Jordan Rosier led the Jaguar squad with 19 points, a season-high and her first time this season in double-figures. She finished the afternoon 6-for-12 from the field with four threes.

Rachel Leggett brought down a career-high eight rebounds, and the loss was the first time in her career she led the Jaguars in rebounding.
 
The Jaguars shot 30.4% from the field while the Wolf Pack of Nevada finished the day shooting 46.4%.
 
Nevada had three finish in double figures and were led by Gabby Guiffre, who finished with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.
 
GAME FACTS

• South Alabama got off to a slow start, down 3-11 at the first timeout of the game.
• Nevada was able to capitalize on a scoring drought from the Jaguars, taking a 21-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.
• South Alabama cut into Nevada's lead in the second quarter but was still down 23-24 with 4:30 left in the half.
• South cut the Nevada lead to five with 90 seconds left in the half, but two quick buckets put the score back to a nine-point lead for the Wolf Pack. The Jaguars trailed 31-42 at the half.
• South Alabama was able to cut Nevada's lead to just six, down 45-51 with two and a half left in the third quarter.
• Both teams opened the final quarter with a scoring drought, with Nevada finding the basket first off with seven minutes left in the game.
• A three from Rachel Leggett cut the Wolf Pack lead to six with three left in the game, South down 57-63.
•  South rallied late in the contest, but there was not enough time, eventually falling to Nevada 62-73

 
NOTES

• Jordan Rosier finished with 18, a season-high.
• Rachel Leggett led the lead in rebounding with eight, a career-high.
• The loss was Rosier's first game in double figures this season.
• Michiyah Simmons had 13 in the loss, her third game this season in double-figures.
• Zena Elias went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.
• Three Jaguars fouled out in the contest.
• South brought down just 33 rebounds; a season-low.

 
QUOTABLE
Head coach Yolisha Jackson:
"I thought we came out and missed a few easy baskets early that could have changed the flow of the game. We missed three layups in the first five possessions. That is something we have to fix. The first quarter didn't go as well as we wanted it to go, but our kids picked it up and played the last three quarters, with a lot of heart and focus. We had some defensive miscues, but besides that, I think we were good. Jordan Rosier handled the pressure well today. She scored in a variety of different ways, so that was good to see that from her. I thought Emani Burks came in and gave us some energy and hopefully this can be a carry over for her tomorrow. The most important thing now is to rest and recover. We've got less than 24 hours to get ready for Denver."
 
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.
  Read Full Article