JONESBORO, Ark. — Jessica Starling made two free throws with 3.6 seconds remaining to give the South Alabama Lady Jaguars a win over Arkansas State in a Sun Belt Conference game Sunday, after the Red Wolves had erased an 18-point deficit.
The win improved South Alabama to 13-5 overall and 4-3 in the Sun Belt. Arkansas State fell to 9-9 and 3-4.
Strong First Half
South Alabama made six of its first 10 shots. Shakira Nettles and Starling combined for 12 of the team’s first 17 points as the Lady Jaguars took a 17-12 lead with 13:37 left in the first half.
Arkansas State moved ahead a few minutes later, and the lead changed hands several times. The Red Wolves scored their last basket of the half at the 5:54 mark, and South Alabama closed the half on a 13-1 run to lead 36-26 at the break.
Red Wolves Rally
South Alabama outscored Arkansas State 11-5 over the first four minutes of the second half, and the lead grew to 55-37 with 12:05 remaining.
Arkansas State’s Ebonie Jefferson, Veronica Smith and Jazmine Taylor combined for 24 of their team’s 30 points over the final 12 minutes. Trailing by 10 with under three minutes left, the Red Wolves scored 11 unanswered points in about a minute and a half to take the lead. Jefferson was fouled with 25 seconds left and made both free throws to give Arkansas State a one-point edge.
Starling Delivers at the Line
On South Alabama’s next possession, a tie-up resulted in a jump ball, and the possession arrow gave the ball back to the Lady Jaguars. Starling was held on the inbounds play and went to the line for a one-and-one with 3.6 seconds left. She made both free throws.
Arkansas State’s half-court attempt at the buzzer missed.
Individual Leaders
Nettles led all scorers with 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, and made 1 of 2 free throws. Ra’Shawna Sippio had 11 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. Starling scored 13 points on 3-of-8 shooting, going 1-of-4 from 3-point range and 6-of-6 at the free-throw line.
Sarda Peterson played five minutes in her first action since an ankle injury against Middle Tennessee.
Jefferson led Arkansas State with 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting and 7-of-9 at the line. Smith added 14 points and Taylor scored 12.
Up Next
South Alabama hosts Western Division leader Arkansas-Little Rock on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at the Mitchell Center. Tipoff is set for 7:05 p.m.
