Lady Jags defeat Marshall 73-58 to advance to Sun Belt Conference tournament quarterfinals

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - South Alabama welcomed their three leading scorers back to the lineup for round four against Marshall. But it was their defense that set the tone early. South kept the pressure on Marshall throughout the first quarter and held the thundering herd to 4/18 from the field. Meanwhile the Lady Jags were efficient on offense themselves shooting 50% from the floor led by Chrysta Narcisse who had six points in the quarter to help South build a 16-10 lead after one.

In the second, it was more of the same. This time it was Ronaltha Marc took the game over scoring 11 points in the second to help the lady jags increase the lead. Marshall shot just 4-21 from 3-point range in the first half and South Alabama leads 36-24 at the half

“With the one day prep we just tried to keep it simple and just be like be there on the catch that’s it. No space on those kids. Be ok with us being interchangeable,” said Head Coach Yolisha Jackson. “To be able to go in one day prep from yesterday, packing the paint to today guard the three says a lot about our student athletes.”

Marshall did get into a rhythm to open the third and pulled within six. But South Alabama had an answer and kept the thundering herd from going on a run. In the fourth, Daniela Gonzalez and Chrysta Narcisse combine for 11 of South’s 17 points to keep the game out of reach. For the 4^th day in a row the lady jags come away with a double-digit win as they take down Marshall 73-58 to clinch their spot in the quarterfinals.

“For me, I just feel so thankful that my teammates gave us an opportunity to play one more day. We just do it for each other, for the culture, for the program. We’re just going to keep rolling,” said Daniela Gonzalez.

“We’re not supposed to be here from what everybody else says,” said Coach Jackson. “Everyone on that bus knows that we are more than capable, talented, prepared and ready to be here and go five, six, seven days whatever it is and I’m just so excited to be able to coach these kids one more day.”

South will continue to run the gauntlet tomorrow when they face James Madison in the quarterfinals at noon.