JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (Interstat) — The Southern Mississippi Lady Eagles remained undefeated Thursday night, using a dominant third-quarter surge and a stifling defensive effort to overcome the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 67-61 in a non-conference women’s basketball game at Pete Mathews Coliseum.

In a game defined by defensive pressure, Southern Mississippi improved to 4-0 while Jacksonville State fell to 1-2.

The Lady Eagles trailed by six points at halftime but seized control of the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Gamecocks 24-12. The turnaround was fueled by a defense that forced 23 Jacksonville State turnovers, converting them into 21 points. Southern Mississippi also recorded 14 steals and dished out 14 assists, showcasing a disruptive and unselfish style of play.

Jakayla Johnson led the Lady Eagles with 17 points, setting the tone early with a 3-pointer on the game’s first possession. Hayleigh Breland added 10 points, while Carly Keats and Whitney Hart each contributed 9 points. Hart’s points came in just 7 minutes of action.

Jacksonville State was carried by a stellar performance from Adriana Jones, who poured in 26 points. Mya Barnes provided a strong supporting role with 12 points. The Gamecocks found success from beyond the arc, hitting 9 of 24 3-point attempts, but were hampered by the relentless Southern Mississippi defense and a significant disparity in assists, managing only 3 for the entire game.

Despite shooting a lower percentage from the field and from 3-point range, Southern Mississippi’s ability to generate extra possessions and score inside proved decisive. The Lady Eagles scored 38 points in the paint and attempted 26 free throws, making 17.

The game was a back-and-forth affair in the early going. Jacksonville State held an 18-15 lead after the first quarter and extended its advantage to 33-27 at halftime. The Lady Eagles’ third-quarter explosion, however, gave them a 51-45 lead heading into the final period, which they managed to protect despite a late push from the Gamecocks.

Announced attendance was 1,167.

Southern Mississippi will look to continue its winning streak when it hosts Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday. Jacksonville State travels to face Georgia on Sunday.