Mobile, Ala. – Sophomore Aja Blount scored a game and career-high 38 points to lead the Coastal Carolina women's basketball team to a 71-62 win over South Alabama in Mobile, Ala. on Saturday. With the win, CCU improves to 11-2 overall and 1-1 in Sun Belt play while the Jaguars fell to 6-8 on the season and 1-1 in the conference.
 
Senior guard Caitlin Roche added 15 points in the game while fellow senior backcourt mate Torrie Cash chipped in six points, all in the first quarter.
 
The Jags had four players reach double digits for the contest with Shaforia Kines leading the offensive attack with 21 points. Antoinette Lewis, Savannah Jones, and Kennedi Centers adding 13, 12, and 11 points, respectively.
 
The Chanticleers shot 41.8 percent (23-of-55) from the field overall, including knocking down eight (8-of-24) three-pointers for the game, while South Alabama shot 34.2 percent (25-of-73) overall but was just 1-of-18 from long range.
 
The difference in the game came at the free throw line where CCU was 17-of-22 (77.3 percent). The Chants made more free throws then the Jaguars attempted (11-of-16) in the win.
 
Roche opened the contest with back-to-back three-pointers to stake the Chanticleers an early 6-2 lead before South Alabama took control of the first quarter for a 16-14 advantage.
 
Blount, who recorded 15 of her 38 points in the second period, pushed the Chants to an 11-4 run to give CCU a 25-20 advantage midway through the second quarter.
 
After a Blount layup put the visitors in front by seven minutes later, USA trimmed the Coastal lead to one twice before five-straight points combined from Roche and Blount put the Chants on top 34-28 at the halftime break.
 
The Chants pushed its lead out to as much as 12 points in the third period, before running out to a game-high 18-point lead at 61-43 on a three-pointer from Zacharyia Esmon off a USA turnover with 8:51 left in the contest.
 
CCU got a bucket down low from Blount at the 5:02 mark of the fourth quarter to take a 67-51 lead but would fail to make a basket from the floor for the rest of the contest.
 
However, a two free throws apiece from both Blount and Naheria Hamilton, as well as a strong defensive effort helped CCU overcome the offensive cold spell to keep the Chants in front until the final horn sounded.
 
For complete coverage of CCU women's basketball, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalWBB (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com.