MOBILE, Ala.- South Alabama women's basketball began the season on the right foot with a 63-56 victory over Delta State on Monday afternoon. 

The Jags jumped out to a 9-2 lead thanks to freshman Princess Okafor Nweze providing the Jags first six points. The visitors would respond well, getting to within two as the quarter moved along. The Jags offense got hot closing the quarter on a 13-5 run that would be capped off by Daniela Gonzalez beating the buzzer to give South the 22-12 lead after one. 

The Jags offense stayed hot as the second quarter began, pushing their lead to as much as 13. Delta State would close the half on a 8-0 run to cut the deficit to five as South entered the half with a 33-28 lead. 

Amyria Walker continued to let it fly as the junior nailed a three in the opening minutes of the third quarter to push South's lead to eight. The Statesmen would fight back and close the quarter evening the score at 42. 

The fourth quarter proved to be a back-and-forth affair for both sides with neither side getting the upper hand. Rachel Leggett helped put the Jags up 52-46 with back-to-back layups to build some momentum. Delta State kept pushing the tempo and would eventually take a 56-55 lead at the 2:46 mark. Princess Okafor Nweze got a major defensive stop at the 1:16 mark as she sent back a layup that would lead to a Rachel Leggett layup that put South in front 59-56. Okafor provided another block for South that sealed the deal for the Jags. Daniela Gonzalez, Okafor, and Nadia Howard would provide the clutch free throws to give South the 63-56 victory. 

QUOTES

Yolisha Jackson on the win, "I'm really proud of our kids. We've got eight new faces and we're trying to figure out lineups and throw some different people in there.They handled adversity tonight as we got down and had to come back and strive through. I'd rather play in a close game and find out what these kids can do and what they're made of instead of playing in a blowout. I think this game will prepare us for later on in our season and being able to handle tight games because in conference there will be tight games.