Mobile, Ala. — Southern Miss women’s basketball lost to South Alabama 57-43 Wednesday night at the Mitchell Center. The Lady Eagles, now 14-15 overall and 7-10 in Sun Belt play, were held to a season-low 20.8% shooting from the floor, according to school officials.
Hayleigh Breland led Southern Miss with 13 points, but the team was limited offensively throughout the game. South Alabama’s defense forced 19 turnovers and outrebounded the Lady Eagles 53-37. Chrysta Narcissa led the Jaguars with 12 points, one of three players in double figures for South Alabama.
The Jaguars took an early lead, scoring the first points of the game and maintaining the lead for the duration. Southern Miss called a timeout after an 8-0 run by South Alabama early in the first quarter. Breland scored the Lady Eagles’ first basket after the timeout, ending an 0-for-5 start to the game from the field.
South Alabama led 12-10 after the first quarter and extended its advantage in the second, outscoring Southern Miss 22-7 in that period. The Lady Eagles shot just 19.4% in the first half and missed all but one of their 13 three-point attempts. The Jaguars shot 44.8% from the field and led 34-17 at halftime.
Southern Miss trimmed the lead to 15 early in the second half but was unable to catch up. The Lady Eagles mounted a brief rally in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to six points with 5:12 remaining but could not complete the comeback. Breland scored eight points in the fourth quarter, the only period in which Southern Miss outscored South Alabama.
The Lady Eagles committed only seven turnovers and scored 10 points off Jaguar turnovers, but that was not enough to overcome their shooting struggles. Southern Miss will conclude the regular season Friday at ULM in Monroe, Louisiana.
The game was broadcast on ESPN+ and the Southern Miss Sports Network. Fans can purchase season tickets for $75 at smttt.info/WBBTix. Updates on the team are available via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @SouthernMissWBB, or through the Southern Miss website and GameDay app.
