MOBILE, Ala. — Morriah Smith converted a layup and free throw with 3.3 seconds remaining to give South Alabama a 77-74 victory over North Texas in women’s basketball Wednesday night at the Mitchell Center.
The Lady Jaguars improved to 16-7 overall and 7-5 in the Sun Belt Conference. North Texas fell to 7-15 overall and 3-8 in league play.
The game was played on the same day South Alabama announced its first football signing class.
Winning Play
With the score tied at 74, Brunner threw a long pass over the top of the defense to Smith, who raced down the court for a layup and was fouled with 3.3 seconds left. After a North Texas timeout, Smith made the free throw to put South Alabama ahead by three.
South Alabama called a timeout to set its defense, and the Mean Green’s attempt from half court missed.
Starling Steps Up Late
South Alabama trailed 69-65 late in the game with leading scorer Shakira Nettles on the bench in foul trouble. Jessica Starling hit a 3-pointer with 3:32 remaining to give the Lady Jaguars a one-point lead, and two free throws pushed the margin to 72-69.
North Texas tied the game with a 3-pointer with 30 seconds left. South Alabama answered with a basket, but the Mean Green tied the score again at 74 on a left-handed layup with six seconds remaining, setting up Smith’s game-winner.
First Half
South Alabama scored the game’s first points to lead 6-4 in the opening minutes, but North Texas responded with a 19-2 run over six minutes. During that stretch the Lady Jaguars made 1 of 8 shots and committed seven of their 10 first-half turnovers.
South Alabama answered with a 15-2 run to cut the deficit to 23-21 with under nine minutes left in the half. North Texas led by as many as six points the rest of the half. Trailing 37-31 with 4:22 left before halftime, the Lady Jaguars scored on consecutive possessions to take a 38-37 lead, but North Texas hit a 3-pointer just before the break to regain the lead.
Second Half
South Alabama tied the game early in the second half before North Texas scored six straight points in about a minute to go back in front. The Mean Green did not lead by more than six points in the second half.
Statistical Leaders
Nettles led South Alabama with 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including 1 of 4 from 3-point range, and made all five of her free throws. Starling added 15 points on 7-of-14 shooting, going 1 of 2 from beyond the arc. Smith finished with 10 points.
Ra’Shawna Sippio had eight points and nine rebounds, ending her streak of consecutive double-doubles.
North Texas’ Amber Jackson led all scorers with 25 points on 12-of-21 shooting and added 12 rebounds for a double-double. Mansa El scored 12 points for the Mean Green.
Up Next
South Alabama travels to Bowling Green, Ky., to face Western Kentucky, with tip-off scheduled for 2 p.m.
