LAFAYETTE, La. – South Alabama's defense stepped up late in the game Tuesday night, with the Jags coming out on top in a tough road battle at Louisiana, winning 46-43.
 
South Alabama led by 13 with seven to play in the third, and then the Ragin' Cajuns used a 16-0 run and took the lead going into the fourth, but the Jaguars showed late-game grit on the road, getting their second conference win of the season, both on the road.
 
The Jaguars held the lead for 21 minutes of the contest, while the Ragin' Cajuns led for 11 minutes. After losing by 32 to Louisiana six days ago, the Jaguars evened the series this season with the win.
 
Michiyah Simmons was the lone Jaguar in double figures, totaling 17 points on four made field goals, while going a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line.
 
Simmons also led the team in rebounding, bringing down seven boards. Emani Burks added six of her own in the contest. Simmons also led the team in steals with two.
 
Two Ragin' Cajuns finished in double figures, with Jaylyn James totaling 13 while Brandi Williams added 10.
 
South Alabama held the advantage in all three shooting categories Tuesday night, shooting 32.6% from the field, 33.3% from deep and 83.3% from the free throw line, compared to 31%, 20% and 28% from Louisiana.
 
GAME FACTS

• South Alabama and Louisiana traded points to open the game, tied at 8-8 with five to play in the first quarter.
• Both teams hit a scoring drought, late in the first, with Louisiana up 10-8.
• South Alabama held a 12-10 advantage after one quarter.
• Louisiana started the second quarter with a scoring drought, and then hit a three with six to play, but South was still up 14-13.
• South Alabama led 23-17 at the half.
• South Alabama held onto their lead midway through the third, up 32-28.
• Louisiana took the lead late in the third, up 33-32 with a minute to play.
• The Ragin' Cajuns led 35-32 with one quarter to play.
• The game was tied at 43 with two minutes to play.
• Louisiana hit a scoring drought, with the Jags up 46-43 with 15 seconds to play.
• The Jags held off the home team, winning the contest 46-43.

 
NOTES

• Jordan Rosier is the only player to start all 30 games this season.
• The win was Simmons's 14^th game in double figures.  
• Simmons led the team in scoring for the fifth time this season and for the second game in a row.
• Simmons led the team in rebounding for the second time this season and in steals for the first time this season.
• Emani Burks led the team in blocks for the second game in a row.

QUOTABLE
Head coach Yolisha Jackson:
On the difference between last week and Tuesday:
"We are playing with so much confidence right now after how we played against Troy. Coming in, we knew we laid an egg last week and we wanted to be who we wanna be each and every day, that is playing hard, playing together and sharing the ball, and we did that. Michiyah Simmons was really good offensively. Really proud of how we shot free throws, I think we were 10-for-12 tonight. That is something we have emphasized all season so it's good to get back to that. I think Janelle Jones came in and had some good minutes. We had to play some zone and she is good and talking and bumping them off and got some rebounds, she was good for us tonight."

On preparing for Troy:
"With rivalry games, we talk about five intangible things you need to have, if we don't bring those on Friday then it's gonna be tough. Looking at the film, we shot the ball so well and with confidence, and their press did not bother us. There were a couple possessions where we missed some layups, so instead of going into the half up eight, we got up 12 or 14, and it makes a difference. Troy came back and punched us in the mouth the third quarter. I think legs had a lot to do with it we have limited numbers right now, so we are trying to figure out rotations and how to not get kids tired. The zone has been working for us, so we are going to watch film and tweak it a bit. With a rivalry game on their last home game, it's going to come down to toughness and mental maturity."

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