SCOUTING THE GOLDEN EAGLES Southern Miss enters Sunday’s contest with an 8-4 overall record and a 7-2 mark when playing at home. The Golden Eagles have won three of their last four contests including two straight against Blue Mountain College (84-38) and Southeastern Louisiana (59-52).
_ _ Southern Miss averages 65.7 points per game on 46.5 percent shooting from the field and 31.1 percent from beyond the 3-point line. Individually, the Golden Eagles are led by Megan Brown, who averages 11.0 points per game. Shonte Hailes and Kelsey Jones also average double-figures with 10.1 points per game each. Defensively, Southern Miss allows opponents to score 57.1 points per game on 38.3 percent shooting and 30.0 percent from beyond the arc.
_ _ On the glass this season, the Golden Eagles outrebound their opponents by 10.4 per game at 38.8-28.4. Jones leads a balanced effort with 5.9 rebounds per game, while Brown pulls down 5.2 per game and Hailes averages 4.8.
* The 44 points allowed by the Cougars is a season best, topping their previous low mark of 56 allowed at George Mason on Dec. 21. * Playing in front of a bevy of friends and family, Mississippi product Octavia Barnes matched a career-high with four assists. * Houston held a 30-24 advantage on points in the paint. * The Cougars won the bench scoring battle 23-14. * With 15 points in the contest, junior guard Jasmyne Harris now has 1,179 in her career, moving her into 15th all-time at Houston and passing Roxana Button (1,169; 2008-12). * Harris connected on three 3-pointers in the game, moving her into a tie for fourth all-time at Houston and matching teammate Angela Harris’ 159. * Harris picked up three assists in the game, giving her 229 in her career. Harris passed Jennifer Jones (226; 1994-98) and Brittney Scott (228; 2007-11) to move to 18th all-time at Houston with the effort.
