MOBILE, Ala. - The University of South Alabama women's basketball team opens the home portion of its schedule Thursday evening when the Jaguar women welcome cross-town rival Spring Hill College to the Mitchell Center.  Tip-off versus the Lady Badgers is set for 5:05 p.m.

Live stats and the web cast of the game can be accessed at www.usajaguars.com.  Fans can view the games live via the web by subscribing to Jaguar Nation for either $7.95 a month or by purchasing an annual subscription for $69.95.

South Alabama comes into the home-opener versus Spring Hill looking to rebound from a 72-53 loss at Southern Miss.  Against the Golden Eagles on Saturday, the Jags could not overcome a late first half slump - hitting just one field goal in the final four minutes of the period. 

USM took advantage of the offensive struggles and holding a three-point advantage, used a 19-4 run to close the half and head into the locker room with a 17-point lead.  Southern Miss' Pauline Love led the way during the first 20 minutes of play, recording 20 of her game-high 26 points.

South Alabama was led offensively by Christian Shelter's 12 points.  Sophomore guard Sarda Peterson chipped in with nine points of her own in her first collegiate start, while fellow sophomore forward Cylenthia Kennon came off the bench to lead the team in rebounding with five boards.   All-Sun Belt performer Shakira Nettles was limited to five points on just 1-of-10 shooting.

As a team, Southern Miss shot 52.9 percent from the floor, while USA was only able to connect on 32.8 percent of its opportunities.  South Alabama didn't help its cause against the Golden Eagles as the Jags were just 2-for-18 from the three-point line.

"For us as we progress, we have to find a way to get better and improve as a team, regardless of who we are playing this point," South Alabama head coach Rick Pietri said.  "We can't be concerned about the long term future at all.  We have to be concerned about the immediate future.  The most important thing for us right now is working everyday to get better and dealing with each opponent that is in front of us at that time."

The 72 points allowed by the Jags against USM were the most points scored by an opponent in a season-opener since Mississippi State's 87 at the start of the 2002-03 season in the first round of the Preseason WNIT.

Spring Hill enters the mid-week match up looking for their first win of the 2009-10 season.  So far this season, the Lady Badgers (0-3) have dropped decisions to Auburn-Montgomery (62-49), Freed-Hardeman (94-48) and Lambuth (76-61) - the last two coming away from Mobile.

Junior forward Kimarie Bock leads the team offensively as she is averaging 14.0 points per outing this season.  Freshman guard Kristin Rogers is the only other Lady Badger averaging double figures, chipping in with 10.0 ppg.

On the glass, Spring Hill has three players pulling down at over four boards per contest - led by Lynleigh Hughes' 4.7 per game.

Like the Jags, the Badgers have struggled to find the range from outside, as they have connected on just eight of their 48 attempts from three-point range for 16.7 percent.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

NOTES:  Thursday night's game against Spring Hill will be the 27th in the all-time series.  South Alabama holds a commanding lead, capturing 23 of the 26 previous meetings - including the last 10.  The last time the two clubs met was back during the 2007-08 season where USA cruised to a 98-35 win at the Mitchell Center.  South Alabama head coach Rick Pietri is 2-0 all-time against the Lady Badgers.  Spring Hill has been the home opener for the Jags on five occasions.  USA is a perfect 5-0 in those contests.  The meeting between Pietri and Spring Hill head coach Ray Fron will be the first between the two coaches.  The game will mark the 38th time USA has faced an opponent currently from Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.  In those previous meetings, the Jags hold a 32-5 record against GCAC opponents, while Pietri is 3-0 versus the league. USA last faced a GCAC opponent back during the 2007-08 season, when the Jags defeated Spring Hill 98-35 in Mobile.  In 35 seasons, the South Alabama women's basketball program has won 27 of its previous 35 home-openers.  Pietri is 8-1 in his previous nine home openers, including a 56-44 victory over Spring Hill to begin the 2006-07 season.

-- USA --