Southern Miss Women’s Basketball Dominates Troy in High-Scoring Game

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — The Southern Miss women’s basketball team delivered a thrilling performance, securing a 98-95 victory over Troy at Reed Green Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. The game was highlighted by a standout 30-point showing from Jakayla Johnson, who became the sixth player in her career to reach the 30-point mark. This win marks a significant comeback for the Lady Eagles after their previous loss to Arkansas State.

Johnson, hailing from Clinton, Miss., not only led the game in scoring but also continued her impressive run in Sun Belt Conference play. She has now scored 20 points or more in all four league games this season and is currently leading the conference with an average of 24.0 points per game.

Troy started the game strong, with Rachel Leggett, a transfer from South Alabama, scoring the first five points. However, Southern Miss quickly responded with contributions from Carly Keats, who helped the Lady Eagles get back into the game. The Trojans took an early lead, but Johnson’s buzzer-beater three-pointer brought Southern Miss within one point at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw both teams trading leads multiple times, with Southern Miss eventually taking control for over eight minutes. Sakyia White provided the initial lead for the Lady Eagles, and Morgan Sieper extended the margin with a jumper that put Southern Miss up 30-24. Despite Troy’s efforts to catch up, Johnson’s and-one play gave the Lady Eagles a 49-46 advantage heading into halftime.

Southern Miss shot 50.0% from the field in the first half, while Troy managed 46.2%. Although the Lady Eagles outscored the Trojans in the paint, they struggled from beyond the arc, making just 3-of-12 three-pointers in the first 20 minutes.

A Back-and-Forth Third Quarter

The third quarter was marked by a series of back-and-forth possessions, with both teams exchanging leads frequently. Troy tied the game at 49-49 early in the quarter, but Keats responded with a basket to regain the lead. The Lady Eagles extended their lead to 72-62 thanks to a three-pointer from Johnson, which was the largest lead of the game at that point.

Despite a brief surge from Troy, Southern Miss maintained its lead throughout the rest of the quarter. Meloney Thames added to the Lady Eagles’ advantage with a key basket, and Keats hit another three to keep the momentum in favor of Southern Miss.

Final Moments and a Nail-Biting Finish

The fourth quarter was filled with tension as both teams fought fiercely for the lead. After a series of missed shots and defensive stops, Troy managed to tie the game at 84-84 with 4:42 remaining. Johnson then hit two free throws to give Southern Miss a 95-88 lead, but Troy quickly pulled within three points again.

With just seconds left on the clock, Southern Miss gained possession after a successful appeal. Johnson drove through the paint to extend the lead to 97-92. Troy attempted a three-pointer to tie the game, but they were unable to score before time expired.

Key Players and Future Games

All five starting players for Southern Miss finished in double figures, with Johnson leading the way with 30 points. Keats added 16, Sakyia White contributed 12, and Meloney Thames and Hayleigh Breland each scored 13. This victory set a new program record for the most points scored in a Sun Belt Conference game since joining the league four seasons ago.

Southern Miss will travel to Boone, N.C., to face App State on Saturday, Jan. 10. The game is scheduled to tip off at Noon CT (1 p.m. ET) at the Mountaineer’s Holmes Convocation Center. App State currently holds a 7-6 overall record and is 0-3 in Sun Belt play following a loss to Marshall.