MOBILE, Ala. – Kelsey Thompson led the Jaguar squad with a season-high 25 points, but late momentum from Arkansas State proved to be too much, as South Alabama fell 78-69 at home.
 
The contest was tied four times and had 10 lead changes, but ultimately it was the Red Wolves who were able to close the game after leading for 24 minutes compared to 13 from the Jaguars.
 
Thompson finished the night shooting 10-of-19 from the field, with her 10 made field goals tying a career-high for the sophomore. Thompson was joined in double figures by Rachel Leggett, who added 15, and Jordan Rosier who totaled 11.
 
South Alabama finished the night shooting 48.1%, a high for the squad in conference play, and third highest mark for the Jaguars this season.
 
Leggett led the team in rebounding for just the second time in her career, bringing down seven rebounds. Thompson and senior center Zena Elias added six of their own.
 
The Red Wolves finished with three in double figures, with Izzy Higginbottom leading the team with 32 points. Annaliese Griffin added 19 of her own, while Lauryn Pendleton tacked on 18 to the team total. Higginbottom is the second player this season to score 30+ points against the Jaguars, as Faith Alston totaled 30 in South's loss at App State.
 
South Alabama held the advantage in all shooting categories, finishing the night shooting 48.1% from the field, 36.4% from deep and 73.3% from the stripe, while the Red Wolves shot a 47.5% field goal percentage, 27.3% from behind the arc and 63.6% from the free throw line.
 
GAME FACTS

• South Alabama and Arkansas State traded baskets to open the game, with ASU holding an 8-7 advantage.
• Arkansas State led 18-12 after one quarter of play.
• South used an 11-0 run to take a 25-21 lead with six to play.
• Arkansas State rallied back, trailing 32-31 with a minute left.
• South answered with points of their own, taking a 36-31 lead going into the halftime.
• Arkansas State opened the second half with a 10-4 run, taking a 41-40 lead with seven to play in the third.
• South Alabama and Arkansas State traded baskets throughout the third quarter, with Arkansas State holding a 46-44 advantage with five to play in the third quarter.
• Arkansas State led 55-50 at the end of the third quarter.
• Arkansas State opened the second half with a 7-2 run, taking a 10-point lead with 7:30 to play.
• South Alabama was able to stay within 10 points of the Red Wolves, down 71-61 with a five to play.
• South Alabama could not slow down the Arkansas State momentum, falling 78-69 in the contest.

 
NOTES

• Jordan Rosier is the only player to start all 18 games this season.
• Kelsey Thompson led the Jaguar squad with 25 points, a new season-high.
• The loss was the seventh time Thompson led the team in scoring.
• Rachel Leggett also finished in double figures, totaling 15.
• Thompson's 10 made field goals are a season-high and tie a career-high for the sophomore.
• Leggett finished with seven rebounds, only the second time this season she has led the Jaguars in that category.
• Thompson and Elias added six boards each.
• South committed just 14 turnovers, tying a season-low.

 
QUOTABLE
Head coach Yolisha Jackson:
"We've had two really good weeks of practice. We definitely put in the work and preparation to win, but when you cannot keep people in front of you and give up 40 points in the paint, it is hard to win games. I thought we shared the ball much better than we had been two weeks ago, and I think you can see the progression from how we played at Monroe, to how we played at Southern Miss, then coming back home. Something we talked about was sharing the ball and having paint touch threes, and I think we did that. Defensively, we've got to get back to work and work on our closeouts and making sure we are in balance. Izzy Higginbottom is a hell of a player, there is a reason she is on all the watchlists, but we made it easy for her tonight. That part is on us. One thing about this team, they don't quit. These kids deserve to have a better outcome and it is coming. We just have to keep grinding."
 
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