HAMMOND, La. – Despite a late rally from the Lady Lions, South Alabama held off a strong Southeastern attack in Hammond, securing the 67-60 victory, en route to South's third road win in a row.
 
Despite a 23-point fourth quarter from the Lady Lions, the Jaguars lead was enough to hold off the rally, securing the road win.
 
Michiyah Simmons paced the Jaguar offense with 16 points, going 4-for-7 on the day and 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Simmons was joined in double-figures by Jordan Rosier with 11, Kelsey Thompson who finished with 13 and Zena Elias who scored 10. The win was the fourth time this season four Jaguars finished in double figures.
 
Emani Burks brought down nine rebounds and the win was the first time in her career she has led the Jaguars in that category.
 
Three Lady Lions finished the night in double figures, with Hailey Giaratano leading the pack with 19. Jalencia Pierre finished with 11 while Taylor Bell recorded 12.
 
South Alabama led the Lady Lions in field goal percentage, shooting 47.9% on the night compared to just 36.4% from SLU. South also held the advantage from behind the arc and the free throw line, shooting 35.3% from deep and 75% from the stripe compared to 8.3% and 73.1% from the Lady Lions.
 
 
GAME FACTS

• South Alabama and SLU traded baskets to open the game, with South having a two-point advantage with six left in the first quarter.
• South used a 13-4 run to close the quarter, taking an 18-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.
• The Jags and the Lady Lions battled back and forth in the second, but South was able to hold the lead, uo 26-19 with four minutes left in the quarter.
• South was able to hold off the SLU attack, holding onto a 29-23 lead at the half.
• The Lady Lions kept applying pressure in the third quarter, cutting the Jaguar lead to just 32-31 with six minutes remaining in the quarter.
• Southeastern was able to keep the Jaguar small, with still South up 45-37 at the end of the third quarter.
• The contest remained tight through the fourth quarter, with South up 50-47 with five left.
• South maintained a tight lead through the final minutes, with South holding onto a 62-55 lead with one minute left to play.
• South held off the late rally, getting the 67-60 road win.

 
NOTES

• Every Jag who played in the game recorded points.
• Michiyah Simmons led the Jags for the first time this season.
• The win was the seventh time this season Simmons finished in double figures.
• Through 10 games, the Jaguars (7-3) have already matched their win total from a season ago.
• Simmons played a season-high 32 minutes.
• Emani Burks finished the night with nine rebounds, the first time in her career she has led the Jags in boards.

 
QUOTABLE
Head coach Yolisha Jackson:
Opening statement:
"Wins are hard to come by, and especially on the road they are even harder. Very proud of our group for being resilient. The game went up and down and we had some plays that didn't go our way, but our girls kept grinding and finding ways to score and get to the free-throw line. We got to the line tonight, which is something we haven't done in a couple of games. I am super proud of our team's fight and our effort."
 
On defending their leading scorer:
"She had a quiet 19. I think at half she had five or six but we sent her to the line in the second half. We tried to crowd her. I challenged the team this week to take pride in their individual on-the-ball defense. At FAMU, we allowed too many paint touches. I think Nadia did a good job defending her and just making it tough for her. We were able to slow her down."
 
On preparing for Ole Miss:
"We need to rest and recover. We will do a lot of film work. They are a top team in the country and anytime you can host a top team, you take it as a great privilege and challenge. They are big and athletic and they press so we need to do something about our turnovers. We are going to get back to work and be prepared to play them."
 
Guard Michiyah Simmons:
On her performance:
"Getting to the basket is something I am good at so I saw how the refs were calling the game and I started attacking while making sure I was taking care of the ball."
 
On what's different than last season:
"We value sharing the ball. If we see one person is hot, we will keep giving them the ball. Everyone is just coming together and not being selfish with the ball."
 
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