STATESBORO - Georgia Southern women's basketball scored 50 second-half points, overcoming a halftime deficit for the first time this season in collecting a 77-69 Sun Belt Conference women's basketball victory over visiting South Alabama on Saturday afternoon at Hanner Fieldhouse.
With the win, the Eagles improve to 12-7 overall and 3-4 in the Sun Belt, eclipsing last season's win total (11) with a month to go in the season. South Alabama falls to 8-11 overall and 2-4 in the Sun Belt with the loss.
South Alabama hit four three-pointers in the first quarter to build an 18-15 lead after the period, then the Jaguars stretched that lead to five, 32-27, at halftime. Georgia Southern was 0-5 when trailing at halftime this season going into today's contest.
The Eagles opened the second half on a 13-4 run, capped by a
Simone James three-pointer at the 7:05 mark of the third quarter to take a 40-36 lead and the Eagles never trailed the rest of the way in collecting the victory over the Jaguars.
Terren Ward led all scorers on the day with 19 points to go with 17 rebounds, while James added 17 points on a perfect night from the floor, hitting all six shots and 4-of-4 three-pointers.
Ja'nya Love-Hill chipped in 14 points and five assists. South Alabama also placed three players in double figures, led by Jaylin Powell's 17 points. Dee Haymer and Mahogany Vaught each chipped in 11 points.
Eagle of the Game
Ward notched her second straight double-double with her 19 points and 17 rebounds. The 17 rebounds were the most by a Georgia Southern player in almost a decade - Danielle Spencer also had 17 rebounds for the Eagles against Jacksonville University on November 24, 2013. She also added three assists and a pair of steals in the contest.
Stats of the Game
The Eagles had three players with 10 rebounds for a second consecutive game as
Mya Burns and
Maya Banks each collected 11 rebounds to go with Ward's 17. Georgia Southern has recorded 20+ offensive rebounds and 50+ overall rebounds in three straight contests.
Quotables • HEAR FULL POST-GAME COMMENTS FROM TERREN WARD AND HEAD COACH ANITA HOWARD
Head Coach Anita Howard on the second half against the Jaguars
"I'm pleased with how we came out in the second half, how we fought a little bit more. I thought we came into the game flat. The losses were getting to our young ladies. But we battled through the loss fatigue, and came up with the win against a strong South Alabama team who shot the lights out today. Pleased we were able to hold onto it and finish it out."
On Terren Ward's 19 point-17 rebound effort today
"She loves physicality. She caa play the 1 through the 5. She has the IQ of a point guard, and the post presence as a center. You know, she wasn't scoring early on. She was only rebounding. I told her, 'when you're shot's not falling figure out something you can do for the team'. For her to get in there and crash, get 17 rebounds, we needed that from her tonight. She's getting back to her Freshman of the Year self.
Next Up
Georgia Southern will continue its five-game homestand by hosting Georgia State on Saturday, February 5, at 1 p.m. at Hanner as a part of a doubleheader with the men's basketball team. It will be a White Out game for the Eagles against the Panthers.
