Openers leave room for growth

 
Southern women’s basketball looks to grow after learning from two losses in start of college hoops season.
While SU was outscored by an average of 11 points in its two losses, Pugh knows there is room for improvement before the start of conference games.
“This time of the year its all about growth,” said Pugh. “So you want to get better every time you hit the floor.”
The Jaguars (0-2) had three days of rest before tonight’s matchup against the visiting Lady Jaguars of South Alabama (3-0), who’s been competitive in each of its games.
Southern opened the season with a 71-69 loss to the Louisiana-Lafayette then were routed by Tulane 65-45 Friday in F.G. Clark Activity Center.
“I thought they just did a good job breaking down our 2-3 zone,” head coach Sandy Pugh said after the game. “I thought we played hard enough in the first half.”
Kendra Coleman led Southern with 15 points, after leading in scoring last season, came off the bench in season openers.
She is one of two players for SU averaging double figures, with 13.5 points per game off the bench.
Adrian Sanders averages double digits with 11.0 ppg.  She leads the team with 5.0 assists per game.  
“The nice thing is we were able to press, get the ball out of her hands and force other people to make plays,” Lisa Stockston, Tulane head coach said referring to Sanders after the game. “When they made that run and we started pressing a little bit, they either took quick shots or we got some steals and we were able to get some points.”
South Alabama is off to its best start since 2008-09 after a 69-67 win over Southern Mississippi.
South Alabama finished 17-13 a year ago. So far this season, they rank first in the Sun Belt in both rebounding margins (+8.7) and scoring defense (54.3 ppg), while ranking second in the league in three-point field-goal defense (.194), field-goal percentage defense (.362) and scoring margins (+16.0).
Both schools will meet for the 17^th time in the all-time series. South Alabama holds a 13-3 series lead and is 4-3 in games played in Baton Rouge. 
Last season, South Alabama won 57-44 in Mobile. 
The meeting Tuesday night will also mark the 75th time South Alabama has faced a current Southwestern Athletic Conference member.  South Alabama is 58-16 all-time, which Rick Pietri, South Alabama head coach is 17-4 against the SWAC.