HOUSTON, Tex.- South came up short in a hard-fought road contest to Rice Monday night in a 76-58 final.
Both teams got off to a quick start as
Jordan Rosier hit a jumper to put South in front 8-7 early. South continued to get good lucks but would cool down after their fast start as the Owls closed the quarter on a 14-5 run to take the 21-13 lead heading into the second.
Daniela Gonzalez helped start South off on a good note as she knocked down a three to cut the deficit to seven. Rice would respond with a commanding run that would put them up 10 with 5:21 remaining in the quarter. A
Michiyah Simmons three would bring South to within single digits as halftime approached. South continued to battle, but would find themselves down 36-23 as they entered halftime.
Amyria Walker and
Alicia Spann converted on back-to-back layups at the start of the third to give South some momentum and cut into the lead. Rice's offense would get hot as they jumped out to a 9-3 run and pushed their lead to as much as 15. South continued to make valiant efforts but struggled to stop the host's offense as they increased their lead to 16.
The Jags showed life in the fourth as a
Rachel Leggett three and
Jordan Rosier jumper would cut the lead to 11. South continued to fight hard but would be bested by the Owls hot shooting. The Jags made one final push but would come up just short in a 76-58 final.
STATS
As a whole, the Jags shot 36.7% from the field and 23.8% from behind the arc.
Amyria Walker led all Jags with 15 points on an efficient 5-7 from the field with six rebounds and three assists.
Terren Coffil chipped in eight points off the bench for South as she proved to be a spark plug late in the game.
UP NEXT
South will hit the road again this Friday as they travel to face North Alabama this Friday.
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