PENSACOLA, Fla. – South Alabama women's basketball (16-18) fell to James Madison (24-8) in the Sun Belt Conference Quarterfinals on Saturday at the Pensacola Bay Center, 79-54.

KEY MOMENTS:

• Daniela Gonzalez led the Jaguars to an early lead when she earned an early and-one opportunity. Though the Dukes would answer with a 9-0 run, South Alabama would stuff them with a three-minute scoring drought.

• Offensive struggles stalled the Jaguars, forcing them to go without field goals for nearly nine minutes. Meanwhile, the Dukes continued to heat up, going on a 13-0 run. They would lead the Jaguars 28-8 at the end of the quarter.

• Though the Jaguars would more than double their field goals and go on a 5-0 run in the second quarter, another JMU run would build up the Dukes' lead to 27 at the half.

• After struggling from beyond the arc in the first half, the Jaguars tallied their first three-pointer of the contest when Amyah Sutton netted an attempt from the wing.

• After two rounds of back-and-forth baskets to open the fourth quarter, the Jaguars went on an 11-3 run led by Daniela Gonzalez and Alicia Spann. Though South Alabama would tighten the Dukes' lead to 25, JMU would emerge victorious, winning 79-54.

KEY STATS:

• South Alabama is the first #12 seed to advance to the Sun Belt Quarterfinals since 2010.

• Daniela Gonzalez tied her season-high in steals, recording five.

• Alicia Spann went 4-for-6 from the field and a perfect 2-for-2 at the charity stripe.

• The Jaguars recorded 12 steals, one shy of their season high (13 vs. App State, 1/29).

• Throughout the Sun Belt Tournament, the Jaguars averaged 41.6% from the field, 36.5% from beyond the arc and 78.9% at the charity stripe, an improvement from the regular season's 40.6%, 31.2% and 65.%, respectively.

QUOTED:

Yolisha Jackson, Head Coach:

• "Today was not our day. The last 40 minutes were pretty tough. But, from when we put this team together in May, all the way until the final buzzer of today, it's been a rewarding experience. We always talk about the people in the room, and we have a great group of young women, support staff and practice players. It was truly an amazing ride."

Daniela Gonzalez, Senior Forward:

• "For me, [playing at South Alabama] has meant a lot. I've found my sisters here, and Coach Yo is like my second mom. She recruited me out of high school, and to play for her and for this program has been the best thing that has happened to me. I'm thankful for everything."

Alicia Spann, Senior Forward:

• "I thank this team so much for making me a better person and a better woman heading into my future…When we started playing bad in January, I think that prepared us for the run that we had in Pensacola. In the preseason, everyone counted us out. We were the last-ranked team. That did not define us and the scoreboard didn't define us. We just had an amazing team, and I wouldn't take this journey away for anything. I love this team with everything in me."

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).

—USA—