MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama got ahead early and didn't look back, defeating MAC opponent Central Michigan 77-55 in the 2023-24 MAC-SBC Challenge. The win was head coach Yolisha Jackson's first Division I win.
 
Zena Elias had a career night in the win, totaling a career-high 16 points in 33 minutes of action, also a career-high. The senior tied a career-high with field goals made with five. Elias also went 6-for-8 from the free-throw line and brought down nine rebounds.
 
South Alabama had three other players in double figures, with Kelsey Thompson totaling 15 points, Rachel Leggett adding 12 and Michiyah Simmons with 14. The win was the second time in as many games that South has had four double-digit scorers. Emani Burks also totaled four blocks in the win, a new career-high for the redshirt sophomore. 
 
The win was the 16th game of Thompson's career in double figures, the second for Leggett, the fourth for Elias and the seventh for Simmons.
 
South used a defensive-dominant second quarter to build up a lead, holding Central Michigan scoreless for seven straight minutes in the second quarter.  
 
South's biggest lead on the night came in the third quarter when an Emani Burks jump shot put the Jags up by 27.
 
The Jags shot 46.6% from the field, while Central Michigan shot just 21.4%.
 
The Chippewas were led by Tamara Ortiz, who had 20 points on the night. Madisen Wardell also totaled 14 points in the game.
 
GAME FACTS

• South Alabama opened the game with a 12-4 run, with Central Michigan's only points coming from free throws.
• South kept the lead through the first timeout of the game, leading 17-6 with less than five left in the first quarter.
• Rachel Leggett hit the first three of her career with eight minutes left in the second quarter to extend the Jaguar lead to 29-18.
• Both teams hit a scoring drought halfway through the second quarter, but South was able to capitalize on fouls from Central Michigan to keep a 33-18 lead.
• After a seven-minute scoring drought from Central Michigan, the Chippewas hit a jumper, but South still led 37-20. South led 41-21 at the half.
• The Chippewas cut into South's lead in the third, but after a deep three from Kelsey Thompson, South still led 55-30.
• South Alabama maintained a steady 20-point lead throughout the fourth, with the Jags up 71-51 with four left in the game.
• Central Michigan hit a scoring drought late in the game, allowing South to extend its lead to 77-53.
• South closed out the game, getting the 77-55 win.

NOTES

• Rachel Leggett made the first three-pointer of her career in the game.
• Zena Elias scored a career-high 16 points.
• Elias also played a career-high 33 minutes.
• The Jags had four in double figures for the second time in as many games.
• Elias led the Jags in scoring for the first time this season and in her career.
• Elias also led the team in rebounding, the eighth time she has in her career.
• The win was the first Division I win for first-year head coach Yolisha Jackson.
• Two Jags – Michiyah Simmons and Jordan Rosier – were perfect at the free-throw line.
• Janelle Jones saw action for the first time this season.
• Emani Burks recorded four blocks, a career-high. 

 

QUOTABLE
Head coach Yolisha Jackson:
On her first Division I win:
"I really challenged our team after we played Mobile to be the team we have coached the last 30 days of practice. We went back and watched film and had hard conversations and challenged them to play hard the entire time. I am so proud of our group of young women because they were phenomenal tonight. The way they responded, it was good to see."

On not letting up in the fourth quarter:
"Everyone that was in the gym on Monday saw a different team. We used the phrase keep coming all week, and they kept coming. We really challenged our team to own the paint versus Central Michigan, and they only gave up one offensive rebound in the second half and we outscored them 34-14 in the paint, when we are able to do that, this team can put up great offensive numbers. Owning the paint is going to be something we try to do game in and game out."

On improvement from Monday:
"It's all about how you respond. There is going to be adversity that comes your way, but it's how you respond. We got the win Monday night but we didn't like how we won. We just challenged them, and so proud of our guys, they responded to the challenge. They kept playing hard for 40 minutes."

Senior Zena Elias:
On the win:
"We had a great team win. Our coaches had an amazing plan set for us, from our preparation to the game as a whole. A good team win."

On her performance:
"My teammates got me the ball, when they needed an outlet, they saw me. My teammates and my coaches set me up in places for me to do great things."

 
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