MOBILE, Ala. ? The South Alabama women’s basketball will continue its home stand and play its third game in seven days Thursday night when it host regional rival Southern Miss at 7:05 p.m. at the Mitchell Center.
Live stats and the web cast of the game can be accessed at www.usajaguars.com. Fans can subscribe to the web cast for just $9.95 a month or $69.95 for an annual fee. Admission to the game between the Lady Jags and the Golden Eagles is $5 for all seats. USA faculty, staff and students admitted with valid ID. Student guest may also purchase a ticket for $3. Children two-and-under admitted free.
The Lady Jags come into the midweek contest versus Southern Miss with a perfect 2-0 record on the young season. So far this year, USA defeated Nicholls State (83-30) in its season-opener and then this past Monday held off a second half rally from UAB to capture a 77-64 win over the Blazers.
South Alabama led by as many as 18 in the first half, but got sloppy in the second stanza, allowing UAB to pull within four (56-52) with just over nine minutes to play. The Jags retook control of the game and pulled away late with a 19-5 run en route to the victory. Junior guard Shakira Nettles was one of three players to finish in double figures, with 17 points.
Through two games, Nettles paces the Lady Jags offensively with 17.0 ppg - fifth in the Sun Belt. The Mobile native has also been on fire from the field, as she is knocking down 64 percent of her shots, including 60 percent from beyond the arc.
Jessica Starling (15.0 ppg) and Karina Sproal (10.0 ppg) are also averaging double figures entering the USM game. Senior center Shaniece Brunner leads USA on the glass with 8.5 rebounds per contest.
As a team, South Alabama leads the Sun Belt in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, rebounding offense, blocks and offensive rebounds.
The Golden Eagles enter the game against the Jags also with a 2-0 mark this season, having defeated Sam Houston State (72-60) and East Tennessee State (79-57) on Monday in Hattiesburg.
"We have a stern test ahead of us with Southern Miss on Thursday,” Lady Jag head coach Rick Pietri said. “They are picked to win Conference USA, and therefore favored to be participating in the NCAA tournament, so this is going to be a really good gauge to see where we are at this point. We played a great game at their place last year. Both teams played a great game and we won at the buzzer. Hopefully, we can have the same effort. I expect Southern Miss to play a great game, and hopefully when it's over with we'll have enough points to come out on top."
Against ETSU, Southern Miss used a balanced attack, placing five players in double figures. Stephanie Helgeson led the way with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Candace Rucker is one of three players averaging double figures so far this season with 14.5 ppg. Pauline Love and Helgeson have also been impressive in the early going. Love comes into the game averaging 14.0 ppg and 12.0 rpg, while Helgeson is a 11.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg.
As a team, Southern Miss has been very efficient on the offensive end of the court, knocking down 47.5 percent of its shots. USM has also done an excellent job of sharing the ball, as the club is dishing out 22.0 assists per game, led by Shanice May’s 5.0 apg.
Thursday night's game against Southern Miss will be the 22nd in the all-time series. The Golden Eagles lead the all-time series 13-8, but USA has won seven of the last 10 meetings, including all five this century. South Alabama's Rick Petri is 5-0 against Southern Miss and 2-0 in Mobile.
The game will also mark the 88th time USA has faced an opponent currently from Conference-USA. In those previous meetings, the Lady Jags are 41-47 against C-USA opponents, while Pietri holds a 9-2 all-time versus the league. USA defeated UAB 77-64 on Monday, and will also face Memphis this season.
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).
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