Preview: Southern Mississippi Lady Eagles at Georgia Southern Eagles

STATESBORO, Ga. (Interstat) — A surging Georgia Southern squad hosts a struggling Southern Mississippi team in a Sun Belt Conference women’s basketball matchup Wednesday night at Hanner Fieldhouse.

The Eagles (14-5) enter on a strong run, having won five of their last six games, including a decisive 69-46 road victory at South Alabama last Saturday. Guard Destiny Garrett powered that win with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists, continuing her standout season. Over her last seven games, Garrett is averaging 17.4 points and 4.4 assists, establishing herself as Georgia Southern’s primary offensive catalyst.

Conversely, the Southern Mississippi Lady Eagles (11-9) are looking to halt a three-game skid. They are coming off an 81-55 home loss to Coastal Carolina, a game where they were outscored by 26 points after halftime. Center Whitney Hart has been a bright spot in the paint, recording a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds at Arkansas State on Jan. 17 and pulling down 13 rebounds against Coastal Carolina. However, the Lady Eagles have struggled with consistency, particularly on offense during their recent slide.

The matchup inside will be critical, pitting Southern Mississippi’s Hart against Georgia Southern’s interior defense, which held South Alabama to 46 points. The Lady Eagles will need more production from guards Hayleigh Breland and Meloney Thames, who combined for 29 points in the last outing, to complement Hart’s rebounding.

Georgia Southern has been strong at home this season and will look to leverage that advantage against a Southern Mississippi team that is 1-4 in its last five contests. The Eagles’ balanced attack, led by Garrett, poses a significant challenge for a Lady Eagles defense that has allowed an average of 74.6 points during its three-game losing streak.

Wednesday’s contest is the only scheduled meeting between the programs this regular season. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Eastern.