Jackson State cut Southern Miss’ lead to four in the third quarter and got within nine late, but the Lady Eagles answered with back-to-back 3-pointers to pull away for a 73-60 win Thursday at Reed Green Coliseum in Hattiesburg.
The Tigers trailed 39-27 at halftime after Southern Miss made four 3-pointers in the second quarter. Jackson State had taken a brief first-quarter lead, going ahead 17-16 on a Ne’vaeh Buntley basket with 51 seconds left. Southern Miss scored before the quarter ended to lead 18-17.
Buntley scored to open the second half, and Taler Thornton added a three-point play. Buntley then hit a 3-pointer, bringing Jackson State within 39-35. Southern Miss responded with baskets and free throws, and the Tigers entered the fourth quarter down 58-44.
Jackson State made another push in the final period. Cassidy Gladney hit a 3-pointer, and Selina Gutierrez and Thornton also scored as the Tigers closed the gap to 67-58 with just over four minutes remaining. Southern Miss’ consecutive 3-pointers restored its double-digit advantage.
Buntley led all scorers with 23 points and added nine rebounds and two steals. Thornton had 13 points and eight rebounds. Gladney finished with eight points, four assists and three steals. Jackson State outrebounded Southern Miss 41-36, scored 34 points in the paint and got 20 points from its bench. The Tigers outscored the Lady Eagles 16-15 in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers are scheduled to travel to Jonesboro to play Arkansas State on Tuesday, with tipoff listed for 7 p.m.
