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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lions hold St. Mary's to one
first-half field goal in 66-29 win The Lions (3-0) roared out of the gate as seniors Fatai Hala'api'api (Maui, Hawaii) and Tynesha Pierce (Houston, Texas) combined for 14 points in a 15-0 MSSU spurt to begin the game. The Spires' (3-3) followed that with their lone field goal of the first half that came on a jumper by Jamie Mireles at the 9:39 mark. Southern then went on a 16-3 run that featured a pair of treys by Trice Bonner (Mobile, Ala.) that put the Lions on top 31-5 with 2:34 remaining in the first half. The Lions went on to lead 38-7 at halftime A three-pointer by Ivaney Marquez (Valencia, Venezuela) and a free throw from Fatai gave the Lions their largest lead to that point at 42-7 just 3:10 into the second half. Katie Joens then scored seven points in a 9-4 St. Mary's run to pull the Spires within 30 with 13:47 left, but the Lions gained their biggest lead of the night with a 16-4 burst that was capped by a three-pointer from Bonner to go ahead 62-20 with 3:43 left. The Lions' defense forced 28 turnovers and held the Spires to only a 14.3 percent (6-of-24) shooting clip overall and only 1-of-14 (7.1 percent) from three-point distance. Southern held a 50-38 edge in rebounds. Fatai led the Lions with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Pierce scored 14 and Bonner added 11. Joens scored nine points in the second half to pace the Spires. Tonight marks the second time in three games that the Lions have held the opposition to one or fewer field goals in a half. Southern has not allowed an opponent to shoot any higher than 32.6 percent so far this year and is allowing only 37 points a game. The Lions will continue action at the PSU Classic with a matchup tomorrow night (Nov. 24) against Quincy Ill. at 5:30 p.m. Quincy held on tonight to knock off Pittsburg State 81-77.
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