MOBILE, Ala.- The Jaguars took down the Golden Eagles Wednesday night at the Mitchell Center in a 66-57 victory. The win improves South to 6-20 on the year with a 2-13 record in the Sun Belt. 

The Jaguars had an offensive explosion in the first quarter that Rachel Leggett and Princess Okafor Nweze fueled as the duo accounted for 16 of South's 26 first-quarter points. South Alabama ended the first quarter in front with a stellar 78.5% shooting from the field. 

The Golden Eagles put a dent in the lead by going on a 10-2 run to make it a 28-23 affair. Unfazed, the Jaguars offense got kickstarted as Daniela Gonzalez connected for a three. South Alabama regained control of the game as they headed into the half up 36-26. 

South Alabama had a healthy combination of strong defense and efficient offense during the third quarter as the Jaguars increased their lead to as much as 12. Rachel Leggett continued to produce on the offensive side for South as Nadia Howard contributed with four points and two steals in the quarter. The Golden Eagles managed to cut it to single digits as the third quarter ended, with South ahead 50-41. 

Terren Coffil helped the Jaguars in the fourth as she drilled a three to put the Jaguars up by nine after the Golden Eagles made a brief run at the lead. The Jaguars would hold on after another late push from Southern Miss to take the 66-57 victory. 

STATS
The Jaguars shot 45.5% (25-55) from the field as well as continuing their recent strand of consistency from the charity stripe shooting 84.6% (11-13). Rachel Leggett led South with 19 points and six rebounds. Princess Okafor Nweze and Terren Coffil would each chip in 10 points on efficient splits. 

QUOTES

Head Coach Yolisha Jackson on seeing another victory at home, "Hats off to this group. They have kept the same attitude and work habits and even after we beat Stetson and went on that tough stretch, their work habits have not changed. We are finally reaping what we have been sowing all year long. We are also starting to find some leadership and seeing what that looks like. Daniela Gonzalez and Rachel Leggett have really been leading this team ". 

On outrebounding Southern Miss, "We keep talking about assaulting and dominating the glass. When our guards rebound we are really dangerous because that can also start our break and help with movement offensively and finding open looks. We have been preaching it and it is about things paying off over time". 

On Terren Coffil's toughness, "One of the things we wanted our program to be built on was toughness. When we get knocked down we hop right back up. Terren is Louisiana tough and it was good to see her come and bounce back. That is one of the pillars of our programs with wanting to have toughness". 

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