Women's basketball splits road series in Alabama

On Thursday, Jan. 18, the Chanticleers played on the road against South Alabama at the Mitchell Center, falling 68-62.

Sophomore Dj Williams got the first points of the game and, after that, the Jaguars had 13 unanswered points in the first quarter. Shooting 68 percent from the field in the first quarter, USA looked unstoppable while the Chanticleers struggled to make a field goal.

Sophomore Naheria Hamilton and Williams scored Coastal's 12 of 14 points in the first quarter.

The game appeared to be over in the first half as the Chanticleers trailed 47-26 going into the break. However, the Chanticleers found their spark in the second half.

The Chanticleers were able to cut the lead to eight points to end the third quarter. The lead went back to double figures after a pair of three pointers were made by USA. However, Williams scored four of the eight unanswered points down the stretch and at the 1:36 mark, they were just down by four. A jumper and a pair of free throws sealed the game for USA.

Williams led all scorers with 29 points and Hamilton led all rebounders with 11.

On Saturday, Jan. 20, the Chanticleers bounced back and defeated Troy at Trojan Arena 97-92, getting their first road win of the season.

The 97 points on Saturday was the most scored by the Chanticleers this season and is the 12th time that the Chants have scored 90 or more points since Jaida Williams took over as head coach in 2013.

The Chanticleers scored season high of 56 points in the first half.

While having the lead for more than half of the game, Senior Jas Adams was able to come back strong after she had a low scoring game Thursday against South Alabama. Adams led all scorers with 23 points. She sealed the game for the Chanticleers down the stretch making her free throws when it counted most.

Breelyn Blanding matched a career high of 21 points and went 8-of-13 from the field and made three of her six three pointers. Freshman Kaylin West led Coastal with four three-pointers and finished with 14 points. Hamilton had 12 points and Dj Williams recorded a double-double, racking up 14 points and 10 assists.

At the 7:47 mark in the third quarter, the Chanticleers pushed the lead to 14 points, but Troy came back by scoring eight straight points.

At the end of the third, Troy had a one-point advantage over the Chanticleers and pushed that lead to four at the 6:14 mark in the fourth quarter. Coastal was able to get nine points down the stretch, and Adams hit the free throws to seal the game.

The Chanticleers gave Troy their first home loss of the season. The Chanticleers are now 11-8 overall and 5-3 in Sunbelt play.

The Chanticleers return to the HTC Center on Thursday, Jan. 25 against Arkansas State. Tip-off is at 5 p.m.