Lady Eagles Overtake Roadrunners 82-65

Saturday, January 11

Reed Green Coliseum

4 p.m.

Southern Miss

10-4, 2-1

UTSA

6-9, 2-2

UTSA

Southern Miss

Lady Eagles Overtake Roadrunners 82-65

1/11/2020 7:08:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Southern Miss defeated UTSA with all five starters scoring in double-figures.

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss women's basketball ends a four-game homestand with another tick in the win column as they defeated UTSA, 82-65 on Saturday afternoon in Reed Green Coliseum.

The Lady Eagles (10-4, 2-1) overtook UTSA (6-9, 2-2) with the help of their five starters, who all scored in double-figures.

Southern Miss started out hot, boasting an 18-0 run through the first five minutes of the contest. The Roadrunners didn't post their first points until around the 5:30 mark in that first quarter. The Lady Eagles' 18 points came behind 3-pointers from Shonte Hailes and Alarie Mayze, as well as 3-point plays for Daishai Almond and Respect Leaphart. Leaphart had two and-ones in that first frame. It ended up being the highest-scoring first quarter of the season for the Lady Eagles at 26-17. Leaphart put up 10 of those points on her own and recorded four boards.

The second quarter belonged to UTSA, 24-21, pushing into halftime at a close 47-40 in the Lady Eagles' favor. The third quarter saw the two teams playing neck and neck, with the defense playing full speed ahead. Leaphart left the game with just two minutes left in the third, but the trooper headed back into the game with almost seven minutes left in the fourth. The final frame is where the Lady Eagles kicked it up a notch. Kelsey Jones started it off with a good 3-point play, and the defense really settled in. With 6:50 to go, the Roadrunners fouled, putting the Lady Eagles in the bonus for the remainder of the game. Southern Miss went on a 6-0 run with just 3:30 left to go, and had kept UTSA scoreless for the last 5 minutes and 30 seconds. Hailes hit a three with 1:16 on the clock, and by then, it was game for the Lady Eagles. At 80-59, all five starters came out, and a fresh five hit the floor. Freshman guard Liz Gibbs scored the final two points for the Lady Eagles.

Kelsey Jones had 13 points and 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season, her fourth career. Respect Leaphart led her team with 19 points and four steals, tying her career high, and had a near-double-double with seven rebounds. Hailes also had a near-double-double with 13 points and eight rebounds. Almond finished with 12 points and led the team in assists with four. Alarie Mayze had 11 points and six rebounds with two assists. Sophomore Destiny Smith had a career game, going 3-for-5 from the field en route to posting seven points. She did it all in just 13 minutes on the floor.

"I really think it's just about staying hungry and being determined to play my role and play my part when I get the opportunity," said Smith. "I know [Coach] expects me to play after Alarie so I know I'm expected to play a big role especially with defending and rebounding. Alarie is a great player and I think I'm a great example of her so I expect to come out and explode and do whatever I can. I did great tonight but I expect more next game."

Up Next
The Lady Eagles will hit the road for a Texas two-step against North Texas and Rice. They will play UNT on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. and Rice on Saturday the 18th at 2 p.m.