LORMAN, Miss. – South Alabama women's basketball toppled Alcorn in the first round of the WNIT on Saturday, winning 73-65. The Jaguars will advance to play Purdue Fort Wayne in the second round of the WNIT.

KEY MOMENTS:

• South Alabama displayed a balanced start early in the first quarter when three Jaguars scored baskets to notch an early 6-0 run. However, Alcorn would respond with an effort led by Nakia Cheatham to tie the score.
• Both teams would stay within two points of each other until a three-pointer from Daniela Gonzalez would pull the Jaguars up five at the end of the first quarter, 17-12.
• The Lady Braves had a hot start to the second quarter, going on a 12-3 run to outscore the Jags.
• In the middle of the quarter, Tamara Ortiz snagged two driving layups to tie the contest at 24. Both teams would stay within two of each other until freshman Jeriyah Baines earned two and-one opportunities, followed by a three-ball. The Jaguars would lead at the half, 34-29.
• South Alabama started to pull away in the third quarter, led by a four-point performance from Alicia Spann. Though the Lady Braves would inch their deficit to one, a banked three from Diawna Carter-Hartley would continue building Jaguar momentum.
• Cordasia Harris had a stellar performance in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 points and leading the Jaguars to their largest lead of the day – 11 with just over six minutes on the clock.
• Tamara Ortiz iced South Alabama's victory, banking seven late free throws. The Jaguars would earn the win, 73-65.

 
KEY STATS:

• South Alabama is the first Sun Belt team to win a game in the postseason.
• Cordasia Harris recorded 20 points and nine rebounds, also going 9-for-15 from the field and 2-for-3 at the charity stripe.
• Diawna Carter-Hartley flirted with a triple-double, recording 10 points, nine rebounds and a career-high six assists.
• Tamara Ortiz played her first 40-minute game since the 2024 season. She also recorded 14 points, seven rebounds and went 83.3% at the line, draining a career-high 10 free throws.
• The Jaguars led the Lady Braves for over 30 minutes.
• South Alabama advances to the second round of the WNIT for the first time since 2019, when the Jags traveled to face Wyoming.

QUOTED:
Yolisha Jackson, Head Coach:

• On the team:
  • "Really proud of our kids' effort today and the focus level to come on the road and get it done. Alcorn is really, really tough at home – they have an amazing environment. For us to come in and execute well enough to get a win – we're super excited about that. Cordasia Harris's 20 points and nine rebounds, and Diawna Carter-Hartley's seven assists really helped us."
• On earning her first post-season win at South Alabama:
  • "Words can't describe what it means for us as a program to get back to the postseason and win the first game on the road in a hostile environment. That speaks volumes about the toughness of our team and their desire to make everybody at South Alabama proud. We're super excited that we get one more opportunity to play."

UP NEXT:
The Jaguars will travel to face Purdue Fort Wayne in the second round of the WNIT at 6:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday at Gates Sports Center in Fort Wayne, Ind.

FOLLOW THE JAGS:
For complete coverage of South Alabama women's basketball, visit the official home of South Alabama Athletics at usajaguars.com and follow the Jags on social media: @SouthAlabamaWBB (X), /SouthAlabamaAthletics (Facebook), @SouthAlabamaWBB (Instagram).