LADY JAGUARS TO MAKE 2ND TRIP THIS SEASON TO SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE ARENA AS FACE MISSISSIPPI STATE

MOBILE, Ala., Nov. 29 -- University of South Alabama issued the following news release:

The University of South Alabama women's basketball team will make its second trip this season to a Southeastern Conference arena when the Lady Jags head to Starkville, Miss., to take on Mississippi State Wednesday night at the Humphrey Coliseum. USA traveled to Ole Miss back on Nov. 18.

"Playing on the road against a BCS opponent is always an incredibly difficult challenge," South Alabama head coach Rick Pietri said. "It's even more difficult when the opponent is playing as well as Mississippi State is right now at 5-1. They present some problems to us from the standpoint that they have tremendous size inside with their starting group at 6-f5 and 6-4 in the post. They also have some incredibly skilled guards that can break you down and make difficult shots. From a defensive standpoint, their length inside and their quickness on the perimeter makes them tough to score against. We have a great challenge ahead and we'll see if we are up to it."

Tip-off between the Lady Jags and Lady Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m. Live stats for the contest will be available at www.usajaguars.com.

South Alabama (5-1) comes into the midweek contest versus the Lady Bulldogs riding a three-game win streak, including a pair of victories over Texas-San Antonio and Utah over the weekend at the UTSA Thanksgiving Classic.

USA opened up the tournament with a 54-42 second-half rally victory over UTSA on Friday and then once again came back from a 12-point deficit to pick up the program's first-ever victory over a Pac 12 team with a 61-53 win over the Utes.

For their play at the Roadrunner tourney, Camille Reynolds and Jennifer Johnson were each selected to the all-tournament team. In the two games, Reynolds averaged 14 ppg, while Johnson had 13.5 ppg at the tournament. Both players shot 50 percent or better off the bench.

The 5-1 start for the Lady Jags is the first since opening the 2008-09 season and the seventh time -2011-12, 2008-09, 2007-08, 2003-04, 2001-02, 1984-85*, 1982-83, - that the program has done so. USA has done so five times under Pietri. The Jags opened the '84-'85 season with 12-straight wins.

Reynolds continues to pace the club offensively with 14.5 points per outing - tied for eighth-best in the Sun Belt. The junior guard also ranks among the league leaders in field goal percentage (4th - .544), three-point field goal percentage (1st - .615) and three-pointers per game (tied for 11th - 1.2). Against UTSA, Reynolds recorded 15 of her game-high 19 points in the second half.

With her 20-point effort against Utah on Saturday, Johnson raised her season average to 7.7 ppg. Like Reynolds, Johnson did most of her damage in the final 20 minutes of action, recorded 15 of her 20 points in the second half. Johnson has connected on 35 percent of her attempts from the arc this season and has had at least one block in five of USA's six games.

Mansa El has also played well as of late as she has posted 10 points in three of her last four games. She is second on the club with 8.2 ppg.

As a team, USA SA leads the Sun Belt in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, rebounding offense, turnover margin and offensive rebounds, while ranking second in the league in three-point field goal defense and three-pointers per game.

Like the Lady Jags, Mississippi State enters the game on Wednesday with a 5-1 mark of its own. The Lady Bulldogs lone loss of the season came at No. 4 Texas A&M.

Senior guard Diamber Jackson is one of two players averaging double-figures this season. Jackson ranks second in the Southeastern Conference in scoring with 16.2 ppg. She also ranks fourth in the conference in assists and second in assist-turnover ratio.

Fellow senior Portia Porter is also averaging double digits with 12.5 ppg - 18th in the SEC. Porter has been just as valuable at the defensive end of the floor as she has 25 steals and is averaging 4.2 steals per game - which ranks second in the league.

On the interior, MSU starts a pair of 6-footers. Fifth-year senior Catina Bett, who stands at 6-5, is averaging 5.5 ppg and is shooting 53.6 percent from the field. True freshman Martha Alwal has been a force in the post as she ranks second in the SEC in rebounding with 10.7 boards per game and leads the conference with 4.2 blocks per outing. Nationally, she ranks 24th and third, respectively in those two categories.

As a team, the Lady Bulldogs are sixth in the NCAA in blocks, averaging 7.2 per contest.

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: The meeting between South Alabama and Mississippi State will be 16th in the all-time series between the two clubs. The Bulldogs hold a 9-6 advantage in the all-time series, and have won four of the last five, including last season's 56-43 victory over the Lady Jags in Mobile. USA's last victory over the Bulldogs was a 67-53 win in Mobile (2003-04). South Alabama's last win in Starkville came back during the 1979-80 season, a 73-71 win. Pietri holds a 1-3 record versus MSU during his time at USA. The meeting between Pietri and Mississippi State head coach Sharon Fanning-Otis will be the fourth between the two coaches. Fanning-Otis holds a 3-1 advantage in those previous meetings. The program is 1-5 all-time in games played in Starkville versus the Bulldogs. The game against Mississippi State will mark the 105th time USA has faced an opponent currently in the Southeastern Conference. South Alabama is 18-86 all-time versus SEC members, while Pietri is 5-14 against the league. The Bulldogs will be the second SEC opponent for the Lady Jags this season. USA fell 54-45 at Ole Miss back on Nov. 18. Over the 37-year history of the South Alabama program, SEC arenas have not been too kind to USA. In its previous 38 attempts to capture a SEC road win, USA has been successful just twice and lost 18-straight. South Alabama's last win in an SEC arena came back on Jan. 9, 1986 when USA won at Florida (71-64). The Lady Jags' only other victory at an SEC arena came on Dec. 15, 1979 - a 73-71 win at Mississippi State. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

LADY JAGUARS TO MAKE 2ND TRIP THIS SEASON TO SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE ARENA AS FACE MISSISSIPPI STATE

MOBILE, Ala., Nov. 29 -- University of South Alabama issued the following news release:

The University of South Alabama women's basketball team will make its second trip this season to a Southeastern Conference arena when the Lady Jags head to Starkville, Miss., to take on Mississippi State Wednesday night at the Humphrey Coliseum. USA traveled to Ole Miss back on Nov. 18.

"Playing on the road against a BCS opponent is always an incredibly difficult challenge," South Alabama head coach Rick Pietri said. "It's even more difficult when the opponent is playing as well as Mississippi State is right now at 5-1. They present some problems to us from the standpoint that they have tremendous size inside with their starting group at 6-f5 and 6-4 in the post. They also have some incredibly skilled guards that can break you down and make difficult shots. From a defensive standpoint, their length inside and their quickness on the perimeter makes them tough to score against. We have a great challenge ahead and we'll see if we are up to it."

Tip-off between the Lady Jags and Lady Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m. Live stats for the contest will be available at www.usajaguars.com.

South Alabama (5-1) comes into the midweek contest versus the Lady Bulldogs riding a three-game win streak, including a pair of victories over Texas-San Antonio and Utah over the weekend at the UTSA Thanksgiving Classic.

USA opened up the tournament with a 54-42 second-half rally victory over UTSA on Friday and then once again came back from a 12-point deficit to pick up the program's first-ever victory over a Pac 12 team with a 61-53 win over the Utes.

For their play at the Roadrunner tourney, Camille Reynolds and Jennifer Johnson were each selected to the all-tournament team. In the two games, Reynolds averaged 14 ppg, while Johnson had 13.5 ppg at the tournament. Both players shot 50 percent or better off the bench.

The 5-1 start for the Lady Jags is the first since opening the 2008-09 season and the seventh time -2011-12, 2008-09, 2007-08, 2003-04, 2001-02, 1984-85*, 1982-83, - that the program has done so. USA has done so five times under Pietri. The Jags opened the '84-'85 season with 12-straight wins.

Reynolds continues to pace the club offensively with 14.5 points per outing - tied for eighth-best in the Sun Belt. The junior guard also ranks among the league leaders in field goal percentage (4th - .544), three-point field goal percentage (1st - .615) and three-pointers per game (tied for 11th - 1.2). Against UTSA, Reynolds recorded 15 of her game-high 19 points in the second half.

With her 20-point effort against Utah on Saturday, Johnson raised her season average to 7.7 ppg. Like Reynolds, Johnson did most of her damage in the final 20 minutes of action, recorded 15 of her 20 points in the second half. Johnson has connected on 35 percent of her attempts from the arc this season and has had at least one block in five of USA's six games.

Mansa El has also played well as of late as she has posted 10 points in three of her last four games. She is second on the club with 8.2 ppg.

As a team, USA SA leads the Sun Belt in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, rebounding offense, turnover margin and offensive rebounds, while ranking second in the league in three-point field goal defense and three-pointers per game.

Like the Lady Jags, Mississippi State enters the game on Wednesday with a 5-1 mark of its own. The Lady Bulldogs lone loss of the season came at No. 4 Texas A&M.

Senior guard Diamber Jackson is one of two players averaging double-figures this season. Jackson ranks second in the Southeastern Conference in scoring with 16.2 ppg. She also ranks fourth in the conference in assists and second in assist-turnover ratio.

Fellow senior Portia Porter is also averaging double digits with 12.5 ppg - 18th in the SEC. Porter has been just as valuable at the defensive end of the floor as she has 25 steals and is averaging 4.2 steals per game - which ranks second in the league.

On the interior, MSU starts a pair of 6-footers. Fifth-year senior Catina Bett, who stands at 6-5, is averaging 5.5 ppg and is shooting 53.6 percent from the field. True freshman Martha Alwal has been a force in the post as she ranks second in the SEC in rebounding with 10.7 boards per game and leads the conference with 4.2 blocks per outing. Nationally, she ranks 24th and third, respectively in those two categories.

As a team, the Lady Bulldogs are sixth in the NCAA in blocks, averaging 7.2 per contest.

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: The meeting between South Alabama and Mississippi State will be 16th in the all-time series between the two clubs. The Bulldogs hold a 9-6 advantage in the all-time series, and have won four of the last five, including last season's 56-43 victory over the Lady Jags in Mobile. USA's last victory over the Bulldogs was a 67-53 win in Mobile (2003-04). South Alabama's last win in Starkville came back during the 1979-80 season, a 73-71 win. Pietri holds a 1-3 record versus MSU during his time at USA. The meeting between Pietri and Mississippi State head coach Sharon Fanning-Otis will be the fourth between the two coaches. Fanning-Otis holds a 3-1 advantage in those previous meetings. The program is 1-5 all-time in games played in Starkville versus the Bulldogs. The game against Mississippi State will mark the 105th time USA has faced an opponent currently in the Southeastern Conference. South Alabama is 18-86 all-time versus SEC members, while Pietri is 5-14 against the league. The Bulldogs will be the second SEC opponent for the Lady Jags this season. USA fell 54-45 at Ole Miss back on Nov. 18. Over the 37-year history of the South Alabama program, SEC arenas have not been too kind to USA. In its previous 38 attempts to capture a SEC road win, USA has been successful just twice and lost 18-straight. South Alabama's last win in an SEC arena came back on Jan. 9, 1986 when USA won at Florida (71-64). The Lady Jags' only other victory at an SEC arena came on Dec. 15, 1979 - a 73-71 win at Mississippi State. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

LADY JAGUARS TO MAKE 2ND TRIP THIS SEASON TO SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE ARENA AS FACE MISSISSIPPI STATE

MOBILE, Ala., Nov. 29 -- University of South Alabama issued the following news release:

The University of South Alabama women's basketball team will make its second trip this season to a Southeastern Conference arena when the Lady Jags head to Starkville, Miss., to take on Mississippi State Wednesday night at the Humphrey Coliseum. USA traveled to Ole Miss back on Nov. 18.

"Playing on the road against a BCS opponent is always an incredibly difficult challenge," South Alabama head coach Rick Pietri said. "It's even more difficult when the opponent is playing as well as Mississippi State is right now at 5-1. They present some problems to us from the standpoint that they have tremendous size inside with their starting group at 6-f5 and 6-4 in the post. They also have some incredibly skilled guards that can break you down and make difficult shots. From a defensive standpoint, their length inside and their quickness on the perimeter makes them tough to score against. We have a great challenge ahead and we'll see if we are up to it."

Tip-off between the Lady Jags and Lady Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m. Live stats for the contest will be available at www.usajaguars.com.

South Alabama (5-1) comes into the midweek contest versus the Lady Bulldogs riding a three-game win streak, including a pair of victories over Texas-San Antonio and Utah over the weekend at the UTSA Thanksgiving Classic.

USA opened up the tournament with a 54-42 second-half rally victory over UTSA on Friday and then once again came back from a 12-point deficit to pick up the program's first-ever victory over a Pac 12 team with a 61-53 win over the Utes.

For their play at the Roadrunner tourney, Camille Reynolds and Jennifer Johnson were each selected to the all-tournament team. In the two games, Reynolds averaged 14 ppg, while Johnson had 13.5 ppg at the tournament. Both players shot 50 percent or better off the bench.

The 5-1 start for the Lady Jags is the first since opening the 2008-09 season and the seventh time -2011-12, 2008-09, 2007-08, 2003-04, 2001-02, 1984-85*, 1982-83, - that the program has done so. USA has done so five times under Pietri. The Jags opened the '84-'85 season with 12-straight wins.

Reynolds continues to pace the club offensively with 14.5 points per outing - tied for eighth-best in the Sun Belt. The junior guard also ranks among the league leaders in field goal percentage (4th - .544), three-point field goal percentage (1st - .615) and three-pointers per game (tied for 11th - 1.2). Against UTSA, Reynolds recorded 15 of her game-high 19 points in the second half.

With her 20-point effort against Utah on Saturday, Johnson raised her season average to 7.7 ppg. Like Reynolds, Johnson did most of her damage in the final 20 minutes of action, recorded 15 of her 20 points in the second half. Johnson has connected on 35 percent of her attempts from the arc this season and has had at least one block in five of USA's six games.

Mansa El has also played well as of late as she has posted 10 points in three of her last four games. She is second on the club with 8.2 ppg.

As a team, USA SA leads the Sun Belt in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, rebounding offense, turnover margin and offensive rebounds, while ranking second in the league in three-point field goal defense and three-pointers per game.

Like the Lady Jags, Mississippi State enters the game on Wednesday with a 5-1 mark of its own. The Lady Bulldogs lone loss of the season came at No. 4 Texas A&M.

Senior guard Diamber Jackson is one of two players averaging double-figures this season. Jackson ranks second in the Southeastern Conference in scoring with 16.2 ppg. She also ranks fourth in the conference in assists and second in assist-turnover ratio.

Fellow senior Portia Porter is also averaging double digits with 12.5 ppg - 18th in the SEC. Porter has been just as valuable at the defensive end of the floor as she has 25 steals and is averaging 4.2 steals per game - which ranks second in the league.

On the interior, MSU starts a pair of 6-footers. Fifth-year senior Catina Bett, who stands at 6-5, is averaging 5.5 ppg and is shooting 53.6 percent from the field. True freshman Martha Alwal has been a force in the post as she ranks second in the SEC in rebounding with 10.7 boards per game and leads the conference with 4.2 blocks per outing. Nationally, she ranks 24th and third, respectively in those two categories.

As a team, the Lady Bulldogs are sixth in the NCAA in blocks, averaging 7.2 per contest.

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: The meeting between South Alabama and Mississippi State will be 16th in the all-time series between the two clubs. The Bulldogs hold a 9-6 advantage in the all-time series, and have won four of the last five, including last season's 56-43 victory over the Lady Jags in Mobile. USA's last victory over the Bulldogs was a 67-53 win in Mobile (2003-04). South Alabama's last win in Starkville came back during the 1979-80 season, a 73-71 win. Pietri holds a 1-3 record versus MSU during his time at USA. The meeting between Pietri and Mississippi State head coach Sharon Fanning-Otis will be the fourth between the two coaches. Fanning-Otis holds a 3-1 advantage in those previous meetings. The program is 1-5 all-time in games played in Starkville versus the Bulldogs. The game against Mississippi State will mark the 105th time USA has faced an opponent currently in the Southeastern Conference. South Alabama is 18-86 all-time versus SEC members, while Pietri is 5-14 against the league. The Bulldogs will be the second SEC opponent for the Lady Jags this season. USA fell 54-45 at Ole Miss back on Nov. 18. Over the 37-year history of the South Alabama program, SEC arenas have not been too kind to USA. In its previous 38 attempts to capture a SEC road win, USA has been successful just twice and lost 18-straight. South Alabama's last win in an SEC arena came back on Jan. 9, 1986 when USA won at Florida (71-64). The Lady Jags' only other victory at an SEC arena came on Dec. 15, 1979 - a 73-71 win at Mississippi State. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

LADY JAGUARS TO MAKE 2ND TRIP THIS SEASON TO SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE ARENA AS FACE MISSISSIPPI STATE

MOBILE, Ala., Nov. 29 -- University of South Alabama issued the following news release:

The University of South Alabama women's basketball team will make its second trip this season to a Southeastern Conference arena when the Lady Jags head to Starkville, Miss., to take on Mississippi State Wednesday night at the Humphrey Coliseum. USA traveled to Ole Miss back on Nov. 18.

"Playing on the road against a BCS opponent is always an incredibly difficult challenge," South Alabama head coach Rick Pietri said. "It's even more difficult when the opponent is playing as well as Mississippi State is right now at 5-1. They present some problems to us from the standpoint that they have tremendous size inside with their starting group at 6-f5 and 6-4 in the post. They also have some incredibly skilled guards that can break you down and make difficult shots. From a defensive standpoint, their length inside and their quickness on the perimeter makes them tough to score against. We have a great challenge ahead and we'll see if we are up to it."

Tip-off between the Lady Jags and Lady Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m. Live stats for the contest will be available at www.usajaguars.com.

South Alabama (5-1) comes into the midweek contest versus the Lady Bulldogs riding a three-game win streak, including a pair of victories over Texas-San Antonio and Utah over the weekend at the UTSA Thanksgiving Classic.

USA opened up the tournament with a 54-42 second-half rally victory over UTSA on Friday and then once again came back from a 12-point deficit to pick up the program's first-ever victory over a Pac 12 team with a 61-53 win over the Utes.

For their play at the Roadrunner tourney, Camille Reynolds and Jennifer Johnson were each selected to the all-tournament team. In the two games, Reynolds averaged 14 ppg, while Johnson had 13.5 ppg at the tournament. Both players shot 50 percent or better off the bench.

The 5-1 start for the Lady Jags is the first since opening the 2008-09 season and the seventh time -2011-12, 2008-09, 2007-08, 2003-04, 2001-02, 1984-85*, 1982-83, - that the program has done so. USA has done so five times under Pietri. The Jags opened the '84-'85 season with 12-straight wins.

Reynolds continues to pace the club offensively with 14.5 points per outing - tied for eighth-best in the Sun Belt. The junior guard also ranks among the league leaders in field goal percentage (4th - .544), three-point field goal percentage (1st - .615) and three-pointers per game (tied for 11th - 1.2). Against UTSA, Reynolds recorded 15 of her game-high 19 points in the second half.

With her 20-point effort against Utah on Saturday, Johnson raised her season average to 7.7 ppg. Like Reynolds, Johnson did most of her damage in the final 20 minutes of action, recorded 15 of her 20 points in the second half. Johnson has connected on 35 percent of her attempts from the arc this season and has had at least one block in five of USA's six games.

Mansa El has also played well as of late as she has posted 10 points in three of her last four games. She is second on the club with 8.2 ppg.

As a team, USA SA leads the Sun Belt in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, rebounding offense, turnover margin and offensive rebounds, while ranking second in the league in three-point field goal defense and three-pointers per game.

Like the Lady Jags, Mississippi State enters the game on Wednesday with a 5-1 mark of its own. The Lady Bulldogs lone loss of the season came at No. 4 Texas A&M.

Senior guard Diamber Jackson is one of two players averaging double-figures this season. Jackson ranks second in the Southeastern Conference in scoring with 16.2 ppg. She also ranks fourth in the conference in assists and second in assist-turnover ratio.

Fellow senior Portia Porter is also averaging double digits with 12.5 ppg - 18th in the SEC. Porter has been just as valuable at the defensive end of the floor as she has 25 steals and is averaging 4.2 steals per game - which ranks second in the league.

On the interior, MSU starts a pair of 6-footers. Fifth-year senior Catina Bett, who stands at 6-5, is averaging 5.5 ppg and is shooting 53.6 percent from the field. True freshman Martha Alwal has been a force in the post as she ranks second in the SEC in rebounding with 10.7 boards per game and leads the conference with 4.2 blocks per outing. Nationally, she ranks 24th and third, respectively in those two categories.

As a team, the Lady Bulldogs are sixth in the NCAA in blocks, averaging 7.2 per contest.

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: The meeting between South Alabama and Mississippi State will be 16th in the all-time series between the two clubs. The Bulldogs hold a 9-6 advantage in the all-time series, and have won four of the last five, including last season's 56-43 victory over the Lady Jags in Mobile. USA's last victory over the Bulldogs was a 67-53 win in Mobile (2003-04). South Alabama's last win in Starkville came back during the 1979-80 season, a 73-71 win. Pietri holds a 1-3 record versus MSU during his time at USA. The meeting between Pietri and Mississippi State head coach Sharon Fanning-Otis will be the fourth between the two coaches. Fanning-Otis holds a 3-1 advantage in those previous meetings. The program is 1-5 all-time in games played in Starkville versus the Bulldogs. The game against Mississippi State will mark the 105th time USA has faced an opponent currently in the Southeastern Conference. South Alabama is 18-86 all-time versus SEC members, while Pietri is 5-14 against the league. The Bulldogs will be the second SEC opponent for the Lady Jags this season. USA fell 54-45 at Ole Miss back on Nov. 18. Over the 37-year history of the South Alabama program, SEC arenas have not been too kind to USA. In its previous 38 attempts to capture a SEC road win, USA has been successful just twice and lost 18-straight. South Alabama's last win in an SEC arena came back on Jan. 9, 1986 when USA won at Florida (71-64). The Lady Jags' only other victory at an SEC arena came on Dec. 15, 1979 - a 73-71 win at Mississippi State. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

LADY JAGUARS TO MAKE 2ND TRIP THIS SEASON TO SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE ARENA AS FACE MISSISSIPPI STATE

MOBILE, Ala., Nov. 29 -- University of South Alabama issued the following news release:

The University of South Alabama women's basketball team will make its second trip this season to a Southeastern Conference arena when the Lady Jags head to Starkville, Miss., to take on Mississippi State Wednesday night at the Humphrey Coliseum. USA traveled to Ole Miss back on Nov. 18.

"Playing on the road against a BCS opponent is always an incredibly difficult challenge," South Alabama head coach Rick Pietri said. "It's even more difficult when the opponent is playing as well as Mississippi State is right now at 5-1. They present some problems to us from the standpoint that they have tremendous size inside with their starting group at 6-f5 and 6-4 in the post. They also have some incredibly skilled guards that can break you down and make difficult shots. From a defensive standpoint, their length inside and their quickness on the perimeter makes them tough to score against. We have a great challenge ahead and we'll see if we are up to it."

Tip-off between the Lady Jags and Lady Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m. Live stats for the contest will be available at www.usajaguars.com.

South Alabama (5-1) comes into the midweek contest versus the Lady Bulldogs riding a three-game win streak, including a pair of victories over Texas-San Antonio and Utah over the weekend at the UTSA Thanksgiving Classic.

USA opened up the tournament with a 54-42 second-half rally victory over UTSA on Friday and then once again came back from a 12-point deficit to pick up the program's first-ever victory over a Pac 12 team with a 61-53 win over the Utes.

For their play at the Roadrunner tourney, Camille Reynolds and Jennifer Johnson were each selected to the all-tournament team. In the two games, Reynolds averaged 14 ppg, while Johnson had 13.5 ppg at the tournament. Both players shot 50 percent or better off the bench.

The 5-1 start for the Lady Jags is the first since opening the 2008-09 season and the seventh time -2011-12, 2008-09, 2007-08, 2003-04, 2001-02, 1984-85*, 1982-83, - that the program has done so. USA has done so five times under Pietri. The Jags opened the '84-'85 season with 12-straight wins.

Reynolds continues to pace the club offensively with 14.5 points per outing - tied for eighth-best in the Sun Belt. The junior guard also ranks among the league leaders in field goal percentage (4th - .544), three-point field goal percentage (1st - .615) and three-pointers per game (tied for 11th - 1.2). Against UTSA, Reynolds recorded 15 of her game-high 19 points in the second half.

With her 20-point effort against Utah on Saturday, Johnson raised her season average to 7.7 ppg. Like Reynolds, Johnson did most of her damage in the final 20 minutes of action, recorded 15 of her 20 points in the second half. Johnson has connected on 35 percent of her attempts from the arc this season and has had at least one block in five of USA's six games.

Mansa El has also played well as of late as she has posted 10 points in three of her last four games. She is second on the club with 8.2 ppg.

As a team, USA SA leads the Sun Belt in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, rebounding offense, turnover margin and offensive rebounds, while ranking second in the league in three-point field goal defense and three-pointers per game.

Like the Lady Jags, Mississippi State enters the game on Wednesday with a 5-1 mark of its own. The Lady Bulldogs lone loss of the season came at No. 4 Texas A&M.

Senior guard Diamber Jackson is one of two players averaging double-figures this season. Jackson ranks second in the Southeastern Conference in scoring with 16.2 ppg. She also ranks fourth in the conference in assists and second in assist-turnover ratio.

Fellow senior Portia Porter is also averaging double digits with 12.5 ppg - 18th in the SEC. Porter has been just as valuable at the defensive end of the floor as she has 25 steals and is averaging 4.2 steals per game - which ranks second in the league.

On the interior, MSU starts a pair of 6-footers. Fifth-year senior Catina Bett, who stands at 6-5, is averaging 5.5 ppg and is shooting 53.6 percent from the field. True freshman Martha Alwal has been a force in the post as she ranks second in the SEC in rebounding with 10.7 boards per game and leads the conference with 4.2 blocks per outing. Nationally, she ranks 24th and third, respectively in those two categories.

As a team, the Lady Bulldogs are sixth in the NCAA in blocks, averaging 7.2 per contest.

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: The meeting between South Alabama and Mississippi State will be 16th in the all-time series between the two clubs. The Bulldogs hold a 9-6 advantage in the all-time series, and have won four of the last five, including last season's 56-43 victory over the Lady Jags in Mobile. USA's last victory over the Bulldogs was a 67-53 win in Mobile (2003-04). South Alabama's last win in Starkville came back during the 1979-80 season, a 73-71 win. Pietri holds a 1-3 record versus MSU during his time at USA. The meeting between Pietri and Mississippi State head coach Sharon Fanning-Otis will be the fourth between the two coaches. Fanning-Otis holds a 3-1 advantage in those previous meetings. The program is 1-5 all-time in games played in Starkville versus the Bulldogs. The game against Mississippi State will mark the 105th time USA has faced an opponent currently in the Southeastern Conference. South Alabama is 18-86 all-time versus SEC members, while Pietri is 5-14 against the league. The Bulldogs will be the second SEC opponent for the Lady Jags this season. USA fell 54-45 at Ole Miss back on Nov. 18. Over the 37-year history of the South Alabama program, SEC arenas have not been too kind to USA. In its previous 38 attempts to capture a SEC road win, USA has been successful just twice and lost 18-straight. South Alabama's last win in an SEC arena came back on Jan. 9, 1986 when USA won at Florida (71-64). The Lady Jags' only other victory at an SEC arena came on Dec. 15, 1979 - a 73-71 win at Mississippi State. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

LADY JAGUARS TO MAKE 2ND TRIP THIS SEASON TO SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE ARENA AS FACE MISSISSIPPI STATE

MOBILE, Ala., Nov. 29 -- University of South Alabama issued the following news release:

The University of South Alabama women's basketball team will make its second trip this season to a Southeastern Conference arena when the Lady Jags head to Starkville, Miss., to take on Mississippi State Wednesday night at the Humphrey Coliseum. USA traveled to Ole Miss back on Nov. 18.

"Playing on the road against a BCS opponent is always an incredibly difficult challenge," South Alabama head coach Rick Pietri said. "It's even more difficult when the opponent is playing as well as Mississippi State is right now at 5-1. They present some problems to us from the standpoint that they have tremendous size inside with their starting group at 6-f5 and 6-4 in the post. They also have some incredibly skilled guards that can break you down and make difficult shots. From a defensive standpoint, their length inside and their quickness on the perimeter makes them tough to score against. We have a great challenge ahead and we'll see if we are up to it."

Tip-off between the Lady Jags and Lady Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m. Live stats for the contest will be available at www.usajaguars.com.

South Alabama (5-1) comes into the midweek contest versus the Lady Bulldogs riding a three-game win streak, including a pair of victories over Texas-San Antonio and Utah over the weekend at the UTSA Thanksgiving Classic.

USA opened up the tournament with a 54-42 second-half rally victory over UTSA on Friday and then once again came back from a 12-point deficit to pick up the program's first-ever victory over a Pac 12 team with a 61-53 win over the Utes.

For their play at the Roadrunner tourney, Camille Reynolds and Jennifer Johnson were each selected to the all-tournament team. In the two games, Reynolds averaged 14 ppg, while Johnson had 13.5 ppg at the tournament. Both players shot 50 percent or better off the bench.

The 5-1 start for the Lady Jags is the first since opening the 2008-09 season and the seventh time -2011-12, 2008-09, 2007-08, 2003-04, 2001-02, 1984-85*, 1982-83, - that the program has done so. USA has done so five times under Pietri. The Jags opened the '84-'85 season with 12-straight wins.

Reynolds continues to pace the club offensively with 14.5 points per outing - tied for eighth-best in the Sun Belt. The junior guard also ranks among the league leaders in field goal percentage (4th - .544), three-point field goal percentage (1st - .615) and three-pointers per game (tied for 11th - 1.2). Against UTSA, Reynolds recorded 15 of her game-high 19 points in the second half.

With her 20-point effort against Utah on Saturday, Johnson raised her season average to 7.7 ppg. Like Reynolds, Johnson did most of her damage in the final 20 minutes of action, recorded 15 of her 20 points in the second half. Johnson has connected on 35 percent of her attempts from the arc this season and has had at least one block in five of USA's six games.

Mansa El has also played well as of late as she has posted 10 points in three of her last four games. She is second on the club with 8.2 ppg.

As a team, USA SA leads the Sun Belt in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, rebounding offense, turnover margin and offensive rebounds, while ranking second in the league in three-point field goal defense and three-pointers per game.

Like the Lady Jags, Mississippi State enters the game on Wednesday with a 5-1 mark of its own. The Lady Bulldogs lone loss of the season came at No. 4 Texas A&M.

Senior guard Diamber Jackson is one of two players averaging double-figures this season. Jackson ranks second in the Southeastern Conference in scoring with 16.2 ppg. She also ranks fourth in the conference in assists and second in assist-turnover ratio.

Fellow senior Portia Porter is also averaging double digits with 12.5 ppg - 18th in the SEC. Porter has been just as valuable at the defensive end of the floor as she has 25 steals and is averaging 4.2 steals per game - which ranks second in the league.

On the interior, MSU starts a pair of 6-footers. Fifth-year senior Catina Bett, who stands at 6-5, is averaging 5.5 ppg and is shooting 53.6 percent from the field. True freshman Martha Alwal has been a force in the post as she ranks second in the SEC in rebounding with 10.7 boards per game and leads the conference with 4.2 blocks per outing. Nationally, she ranks 24th and third, respectively in those two categories.

As a team, the Lady Bulldogs are sixth in the NCAA in blocks, averaging 7.2 per contest.

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: The meeting between South Alabama and Mississippi State will be 16th in the all-time series between the two clubs. The Bulldogs hold a 9-6 advantage in the all-time series, and have won four of the last five, including last season's 56-43 victory over the Lady Jags in Mobile. USA's last victory over the Bulldogs was a 67-53 win in Mobile (2003-04). South Alabama's last win in Starkville came back during the 1979-80 season, a 73-71 win. Pietri holds a 1-3 record versus MSU during his time at USA. The meeting between Pietri and Mississippi State head coach Sharon Fanning-Otis will be the fourth between the two coaches. Fanning-Otis holds a 3-1 advantage in those previous meetings. The program is 1-5 all-time in games played in Starkville versus the Bulldogs. The game against Mississippi State will mark the 105th time USA has faced an opponent currently in the Southeastern Conference. South Alabama is 18-86 all-time versus SEC members, while Pietri is 5-14 against the league. The Bulldogs will be the second SEC opponent for the Lady Jags this season. USA fell 54-45 at Ole Miss back on Nov. 18. Over the 37-year history of the South Alabama program, SEC arenas have not been too kind to USA. In its previous 38 attempts to capture a SEC road win, USA has been successful just twice and lost 18-straight. South Alabama's last win in an SEC arena came back on Jan. 9, 1986 when USA won at Florida (71-64). The Lady Jags' only other victory at an SEC arena came on Dec. 15, 1979 - a 73-71 win at Mississippi State. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

LADY JAGUARS TO MAKE 2ND TRIP THIS SEASON TO SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE ARENA AS FACE MISSISSIPPI STATE

MOBILE, Ala., Nov. 29 -- University of South Alabama issued the following news release:

The University of South Alabama women's basketball team will make its second trip this season to a Southeastern Conference arena when the Lady Jags head to Starkville, Miss., to take on Mississippi State Wednesday night at the Humphrey Coliseum. USA traveled to Ole Miss back on Nov. 18.

"Playing on the road against a BCS opponent is always an incredibly difficult challenge," South Alabama head coach Rick Pietri said. "It's even more difficult when the opponent is playing as well as Mississippi State is right now at 5-1. They present some problems to us from the standpoint that they have tremendous size inside with their starting group at 6-f5 and 6-4 in the post. They also have some incredibly skilled guards that can break you down and make difficult shots. From a defensive standpoint, their length inside and their quickness on the perimeter makes them tough to score against. We have a great challenge ahead and we'll see if we are up to it."

Tip-off between the Lady Jags and Lady Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m. Live stats for the contest will be available at www.usajaguars.com.

South Alabama (5-1) comes into the midweek contest versus the Lady Bulldogs riding a three-game win streak, including a pair of victories over Texas-San Antonio and Utah over the weekend at the UTSA Thanksgiving Classic.

USA opened up the tournament with a 54-42 second-half rally victory over UTSA on Friday and then once again came back from a 12-point deficit to pick up the program's first-ever victory over a Pac 12 team with a 61-53 win over the Utes.

For their play at the Roadrunner tourney, Camille Reynolds and Jennifer Johnson were each selected to the all-tournament team. In the two games, Reynolds averaged 14 ppg, while Johnson had 13.5 ppg at the tournament. Both players shot 50 percent or better off the bench.

The 5-1 start for the Lady Jags is the first since opening the 2008-09 season and the seventh time -2011-12, 2008-09, 2007-08, 2003-04, 2001-02, 1984-85*, 1982-83, - that the program has done so. USA has done so five times under Pietri. The Jags opened the '84-'85 season with 12-straight wins.

Reynolds continues to pace the club offensively with 14.5 points per outing - tied for eighth-best in the Sun Belt. The junior guard also ranks among the league leaders in field goal percentage (4th - .544), three-point field goal percentage (1st - .615) and three-pointers per game (tied for 11th - 1.2). Against UTSA, Reynolds recorded 15 of her game-high 19 points in the second half.

With her 20-point effort against Utah on Saturday, Johnson raised her season average to 7.7 ppg. Like Reynolds, Johnson did most of her damage in the final 20 minutes of action, recorded 15 of her 20 points in the second half. Johnson has connected on 35 percent of her attempts from the arc this season and has had at least one block in five of USA's six games.

Mansa El has also played well as of late as she has posted 10 points in three of her last four games. She is second on the club with 8.2 ppg.

As a team, USA SA leads the Sun Belt in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, rebounding offense, turnover margin and offensive rebounds, while ranking second in the league in three-point field goal defense and three-pointers per game.

Like the Lady Jags, Mississippi State enters the game on Wednesday with a 5-1 mark of its own. The Lady Bulldogs lone loss of the season came at No. 4 Texas A&M.

Senior guard Diamber Jackson is one of two players averaging double-figures this season. Jackson ranks second in the Southeastern Conference in scoring with 16.2 ppg. She also ranks fourth in the conference in assists and second in assist-turnover ratio.

Fellow senior Portia Porter is also averaging double digits with 12.5 ppg - 18th in the SEC. Porter has been just as valuable at the defensive end of the floor as she has 25 steals and is averaging 4.2 steals per game - which ranks second in the league.

On the interior, MSU starts a pair of 6-footers. Fifth-year senior Catina Bett, who stands at 6-5, is averaging 5.5 ppg and is shooting 53.6 percent from the field. True freshman Martha Alwal has been a force in the post as she ranks second in the SEC in rebounding with 10.7 boards per game and leads the conference with 4.2 blocks per outing. Nationally, she ranks 24th and third, respectively in those two categories.

As a team, the Lady Bulldogs are sixth in the NCAA in blocks, averaging 7.2 per contest.

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: The meeting between South Alabama and Mississippi State will be 16th in the all-time series between the two clubs. The Bulldogs hold a 9-6 advantage in the all-time series, and have won four of the last five, including last season's 56-43 victory over the Lady Jags in Mobile. USA's last victory over the Bulldogs was a 67-53 win in Mobile (2003-04). South Alabama's last win in Starkville came back during the 1979-80 season, a 73-71 win. Pietri holds a 1-3 record versus MSU during his time at USA. The meeting between Pietri and Mississippi State head coach Sharon Fanning-Otis will be the fourth between the two coaches. Fanning-Otis holds a 3-1 advantage in those previous meetings. The program is 1-5 all-time in games played in Starkville versus the Bulldogs. The game against Mississippi State will mark the 105th time USA has faced an opponent currently in the Southeastern Conference. South Alabama is 18-86 all-time versus SEC members, while Pietri is 5-14 against the league. The Bulldogs will be the second SEC opponent for the Lady Jags this season. USA fell 54-45 at Ole Miss back on Nov. 18. Over the 37-year history of the South Alabama program, SEC arenas have not been too kind to USA. In its previous 38 attempts to capture a SEC road win, USA has been successful just twice and lost 18-straight. South Alabama's last win in an SEC arena came back on Jan. 9, 1986 when USA won at Florida (71-64). The Lady Jags' only other victory at an SEC arena came on Dec. 15, 1979 - a 73-71 win at Mississippi State. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com