MOBILE, Ala. — Despite winning the battle of rebounds and turnovers on Saturday, Central Arkansas could not overcome its shooting woes as the Sugar Bears fell 64-43 at South Alabama.
The Sugar Bears (5-4) entered Saturday's game ranked 18th in the nation with a 47.2 field goal percentage, but fell well short of that mark against the Jaguars (7-3), as they connected on just 27.9 percent of their shots – including 11.1 percent in the first quarter as they fell behind 16, a deficit they would be unable to recover from.
Despite holding the Jags to five second-quarter points, the Sugar Bears were never able to draw any closer than 11 as they scored just 10 points of their own, trailing 25-14 at the half – the Sugar Bears' lowest halftime total of the season.
Though they found a little more success offensively in the third quarter, shooting 37.5 percent – better than double their first-half percentage of 18.1 – the Sugar Bears struggled on the defensive end as they surrendered 25 points in the period to the Jags, and trailed 50-29 headed into the final quarter.
Though the Sugar Bears improved once again with their offensive efficiency in the fourth, shooting 41.7 percent and committing just two turnovers, they were unable to make up any ground on USA as the teams each scored 14 in the final period.
Taylor Baudoin led Central Arkansas with 10 points and 9 rebounds in 36 minutes, and freshman
Mekaylan Hicks added 7 and 8 in 20 minutes while making her first collegiate start.
Taylor Sells had 5 of the Sugar Bears' 8 assists and also added 5 rebounds as the Sugar Bears held a 39-30 advantage over USA on the boards. Junior guard
Alanie Fisher – a transfer from Coffeyville CC – saw her first action in Central Arkansas uniform, getting two minutes in her first game back from ACL surgery.
Savannah Jones had 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting and 6 rebounds to lead South Alabama, and Chyna Ellis added 16 points, 4 rebounds and 6 blocks – moving her to within 21 of the USA career record. In all, the Jags rejected 9 Sugar Bear shots, equaling Texas A&M for the highest total of the season.
The Sugar Bears continue their road trip with their final two non-conference games at the FIU Holiday Tournament in Miami, taking on Clemson at 1:00pm on Wednesday and either FIU or North Dakota State on Thursday.
NOTES
• The Sugar Bears fall to 2-4 against Sun Belt Conference teams
• After going 17 of 35 (48.6 percent) from 3-point range in their previous two games, the Sugar Bears were just 2 of 12 (16.7 percent) on Saturday
• It was the first time in five games this season in which the Sugar Bears lost a game in which they committed fewer turnovers, committing 12 while forcing 13
• Taylor Baudoin reached double figures in scoring for the 8th consecutive game and 40th time of her career at Central Arkansas, and narrowly missed her 7th double-double by equaling her season high with 9 rebounds
QUOTES
Head Coach Sandra Rushing
"Probably the worst effort we have had all year. I will go on record – I made some coaching mistakes on substitutions and playing, but that won't happen again. We're going to get some things straight, we're going to get it right."
"There's no excuse about finals, no excuses from travel – they had plenty of sleep. I'm disappointed – disappointed in just the lack of effort and focus, that's the bottom line. I don't know what else to say."
"(South Alabama) did what they wanted to when they wanted to. They outworked us for every ball, and when they got physical we backed down, and I felt like we were wanting to pout. And that's not Sugar Bear basketball. I'm at a loss for words. We let our offense dictate our defense, and that's not us. Just because shots are not falling, we wanted to drop our heads, and you can't do that. We've had a whole week to prepare for USA, so there's no excuse."
