SAN MARCOS, Texas – Kelsey Thompson led the Jaguar squad with a 27 point game, lifting the Jaguars to their first conference win of the season, beating Texas State 65-64 in San Marcos. The contest had seven lead changes and was tied nine times, but last second effort from the Jags earned them the win.
 
With the Jags down one with 11 seconds left, Nadia Howard went to the free throw line and missed both, but hustle from Rachel Leggett paid off, as she got the rebound and put up the game winning shot for the Jaguars, breaking a 12-game losing streak for South.
 
Thompson's 27 points match her career high and her 11 made field goals are a new career-high for the sophomore guard. Thompson also finished the afternoon with three three-pointers, matching her career high, in 38 minutes of action, a new career high. The win was Thompson's third 20 point game of the season, which leads the Jaguars.
 
Joining Thompson in double figures was Rachel Leggett, who totaled 10 on the day, with her final two proving to be the most important.
 
Leggett led the team in rebounding for the fourth time this season, bringing down nine rebounds. Thompson added six of her own in the win.
 
Two Bobcats finished in double figures, with Tiffany Tullis leading the team with 13 and Morgan Hill adding 12. Jailyn Foster led her squad with 11 rebounds.
 
South Alabama held the advantage in all shooting categories in Saturday's win, finishing the night shooting 43.9% from the field, 40.0% from deep and 69.2% from the stripe, while the home squad of Texas State shot a 39.1% field goal percentage, 15.8% from behind the arc and 64.7% from the free throw line.
 
GAME FACTS

• South Alabama and Texas State both got off to a slow start, with the Jags up 6-4 with 4:43 to play in the first quarter.
• South Alabama held a small advantage at the end of the first quarter, up 13-12.
• Texas State tied the game at 18 all with 5:40 to play in the first half.
• Texas State capitalized on a scoring drought from the Jaguars, taking a 25-20 lead with three to play.
• South answered back with an 8-2 rally, leading 28-27 at the half.
• The Jaguars opened the third quarter with two quick baskets, causing Texas State to call a time out with 8:20 left in the third.
• Despite an attack from Texas State, the Jags held the lead through the third, up 50-46.
• The Jags and Texas State were tied at 56 with three left to play.
• The Jags led by one (63-62) with 30 seconds left.
• Texas State retook the lead after three free throws, up 64-63.
• Rachel Leggett made a last minute shot, giving South the 65-64 win. 

NOTES

• Jordan Rosier is the only player to start all 23 games this season.
• Naomi Smitherman started the second game of her career.
• Kelsey Thompson matched her career high with 27 points.
• Her 11 made field goals are a new career high.
• Thompson played a career-high 38 points.
• Rachel Leggett added 10 points and nine rebounds in the win.
• South broke a 12 game losing streak with the win.

QUOTABLE
Head coach Yolisha Jackson:
"After everything this team has been through the last three weeks and just the season as a whole, it was so refreshing, and it felt like we got the monkey off our back with a win. We have put in work time and time again, we've had our ups and downs, and this team has continued to get closer and be better and we were able to come out with the win today. Kelsey Thompson, I cannot say enough about her, with everything she's had going on, that kid put us on her back, and she carried us through. Nadia Howard was strong too, Michiyah Simmons played a great second half. I thought Naomi played a great game. I am so proud of this group. We always talk about what is our date today. Today is the only day that matters. We wrote on the board '1-0, February 3, 2024'. That is the only thing that mattered. I am super proud of this group."

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