Feb. 21, 2008

Baton Rouge, LA - Junior Diedra Jackson scored a career high 20 points to lead the SU women's basketball past Mississippi Valley State University 59-53.

Southern (10-12, 8-5 SWAC) got 11 rebounds from red-shirt freshman Freda Allen who also contributed with nine points, an assists, a steal and two blocks.

"It was a tough one down the stretch, because the kids thought they had it in the bag," said head coach Sandy Pugh. "Valley's not the kind of team you coast on. Just as soon as you fall asleep, they play a little bit harder than you and get the momentum going."

That's exactly what the Devilettes did as they out-scored the Jaguars off of turnovers 24-14 and bench points 24-15. Valley's Shakira Arnold and Latoia Mackey each scored 11 points while Jessica Williams pulled in 11 rebounds for the ladies from the Mississippi Delta.

The win nets coach Pugh her 130th on "the bluff" and doubles the win total from last season.

Southern will travel to Huntsville, Alabama to face the Lady Bulldogs of Alabama A&M University. The contest is scheduled for Saturday, February 23rd at 4:00 p.m.