STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern women's basketball team (5-10, 1-3 SBC) recorded their first Sun Belt win over UL Monroe on Thursday night in Fant-Ewing Coliseum, 65-44. The Eagles had a dominating performance on the boards with 57 total rebounds, 24 of which were offensive. The last time an Eagle team recorded more than 50 rebounds was in 2014.

The Eagles were led by senior forward Patrice Butler, who recorded a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Freshman guard Alexis Brown also had a stellar performance in only her second career start as an Eagle, scoring 10 points and tallying eight rebounds, six of which were on the offensive glass. Senior guard Angel McGowan was the third Eagle to record double-digit points in tonight's contest with 13.

For the Warhawks, Gabriella Cortez scored 15 points and had six rebounds as well as two assists to lead UL Monroe (3-12, 0-4 SBC) while Carissa Moody contributed seven points and three rebounds.

THE STORY 
The Eagles started the game on a high note retrieving six offensive rebounds in their first two possessions. The Eagles ran through the first quarter with a 20-5 lead, but in the second quarter the Warhawks began to come alive. Heading into the half, UL Monroe had cut their previously 15-point deficit to only six. 

The Eagles came out of halftime on fire, netting a total of 23 total points in just the third quarter, shooting 40.9% from the field. GS then stretched their lead to 21 with only 2:39 left to play in the third quarter, which proved to be the largest deficit for the Warhawks all night. The Eagles forced 14 turnovers on the night and finished the night defeating the Warhawks 65-44. 

QUOTABLES FROM HEAD COACH KIP DROWN
"I thought we came out and we were ready to play. We got off to a great start, you look at our rebounding and we had a plus-twenty advantage. We got on the offensive glass really hard. We had a little spell there in the second quarter where we turned it over and had eight turnovers at the half. I thought overall, though, there was really good effort and I am really proud of these kids. They had a good week of practice and I thought we were prepared and ready to go today."

"We have one day to go and get ready for Louisiana. There's not a lot we can do from now until then, we are just looking at specific things for Saturday to emphasize on and prepare for them. They're a good basketball team and they have had a lot of success the last few years, so we are looking forward to it. It was exciting to get the win tonight and now we get a chance to go down there and look for a sweep." 

NEXT UP
Georgia Southern continues their Louisana swing on Saturday evening against Louisiana. The Eagles and Ragin' Cajuns will meet in the Cajundome at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday. 

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