STATESBORO - South Alabama opened the fourth quarter on a 16-2 run to come away with a 71-65 Sun Belt Conference women's basketball victory over host Georgia Southern on Saturday afternoon at Hanner Fieldhouse.
The Jaguars improved to 9-9 overall and 3-3 in the Sun Belt with the win, while Georgia Southern fell to 5-12 overall and 2-4 in the league.
South Alabama hit 5-of-7 threes to open up the contest by building a 26-10 lead eight minutes into the first quarter. Georgia Southern closed out the quarter on a 9-1 run to draw to within eight points, 27-19, at the end of the period.
In the second period, defenses tightened up as neither team could get a field goal to fall for the first six minutes until Jaiden Hamilton's baseline jumper, which helped Georgia Southern cut the lead to five, 35-30, at halftime.
The third quarter saw back to back three-pointers from Hamilton to give the Eagles its first lead since a minute and a half into the contest, making the score 45-43 with 2:16 left in the period. South Alabama quickly tied it up and the third quarter ended with the score even at 47-47.
South Alabama then opened the fourth quarter on its run to take a commanding 63-49 lead with 4:40 left in the contest and close out the win.
Hamilton finished the game with 14 points for the Eagles, while Hailey Dias-Allen and Nikki McDonald each added 10 points. South Alabama placed three players in double figures, led by Preseason Sun Belt Player of the Year Antoinette Lewis' game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds. Savannah Jones added 21 points and Shaforia Kines chipped in 14.
Eagle of the Game
Hamilton notched her third double digit scoring game in Sun Belt play on 6-of-12 shooting from the floor, including 2-of-4 from three-point range. She added six rebounds and three steals on the afternoon.
Key Moment
Georgia Southern held South Alabama without a field goal for a seven minute stretch starting the second quarter, allowing the Eagles to close what was once a 16-point first-half deficit down to one, 27-26, with 3:18 left until halftime.
Stat of the Game
Georgia Southern committed 21 turnovers on the afternoon, its fifth straight game with 20 or more turnovers. The Eagles fell to 1-9 this season when committing 20+ turnovers.
Quotables
Head Coach Anita Howard on effort of the Eagles fighting back from two large deficits
"It's just us trying to buy in to being both mentally and physically tough. But with all that hard work, you want the players to see the rewards. We had our hands full with this game. We had no answer for [Antoinette] Lewis and [Savannah] Jones. But I'm pleased with the fight. You know, we won two quarters and lost two quarters, so again it's just that consistency we're looking for."
Jaiden Hamilton on the Sun Belt grind as a freshman
"These past two teams we played, they're strong and fast, so I know I've got to keep working hard. A lot of it comes down to learning how to capitalize and finish games. When we tie it up, we've got to step it up and put our foot on the gas. But I've still got a lot to work on."
Next Up
Georgia Southern completes its three-game Sun Belt homestand by hosting Georgia State on Saturday, January 25th, at 2 p.m. The game will be the first meeting between the two teams in the Southern vs. State Rivalry Series for 2019-20 and the winner will earn one point. Georgia Southern currently leads the Southern vs. State Rivalry Series by a 4.0-3.0 score.
