NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — Jakayla Johnson scored 32 points and Southern Mississippi survived a late regulation collapse and a dominant third quarter by Old Dominion to secure an 86-83 overtime victory in a Conference USA women’s basketball game Friday night at the Constant Convocation Center.

The Lady Eagles, who led by as many as 11 points in the second half, squandered a six-point lead in the final 30 seconds of regulation but dominated the extra period to snap a four-game losing streak. Southern Mississippi improved to 12-10 overall. Old Dominion fell to 13-10.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the frantic final minute of the fourth quarter. Southern Mississippi, leading 77-71 after a Whitney Hart layup with 1:06 remaining, appeared poised to close out the win. Old Dominion’s rally began when Simaru Fields was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 26 seconds left. The guard made two of three free throws to cut the deficit to 77-73.

On the ensuing inbound play, Southern Mississippi’s Hayleigh Breland was trapped and called for a five-second violation, giving the ball back to the Lady Monarchs. Fields capitalized immediately, draining a 3-pointer from the wing with 19 seconds left to bring Old Dominion within one.

Southern Mississippi’s Jakayla Johnson was then fouled and made one of two free throws for a 78-76 lead with seven seconds remaining. Old Dominion, without a timeout, pushed the ball upcourt. The ball found its way to Fields, who drove and scored a contested layup as time expired, sending the game to overtime tied at 78.

The overtime period belonged entirely to Johnson and the Lady Eagles’ defense. Johnson scored six of her team’s nine points in the extra session, starting with a driving layup just 17 seconds in. Southern Mississippi’s defense forced four Old Dominion turnovers in the five-minute period, holding the Lady Monarchs to just two field goals.

A pivotal moment came with Southern Mississippi leading 81-79. After an Old Dominion turnover, Johnson hit a tough jumper to extend the lead to four with 2:57 left. Old Dominion’s En’Dya Buford made two free throws to cut it to 83-81 with 59 seconds left, but the Lady Monarchs would not score again. Southern Mississippi sealed the game at the free-throw line, with Johnson and Carly Keats combining for three free throws in the final 30 seconds, while Old Dominion missed its final three shots from the field.

Johnson’s 32-point performance was a season high and came on a night where she attempted 20 free throws, making 14. She added five rebounds and three steals in 40 minutes. She was supported by 21 points from Hayleigh Breland and 20 from Carly Keats. The trio combined for 73 of Southern Mississippi’s 86 points.

Old Dominion was led by Simaru Fields, who scored 26 points. En’Dya Buford added 13, and reserve Nakiyah Allen provided a significant spark with 11 points in just seven minutes of action. Riley Stack anchored the defense with four blocks and nine points.

The game turned dramatically in the third quarter. After a back-and-forth first half that saw Southern Mississippi take a 37-35 lead into the break, Old Dominion erupted after halftime. The Lady Monarchs opened the third quarter on a 17-5 run, fueled by eight points from Fields, to take a 52-42 lead. Old Dominion outscored Southern Mississippi 27-18 in the period, shooting 50% from the field while holding the Lady Eagles to 33% shooting, to carry a 62-55 advantage into the fourth.

Southern Mississippi chipped away in the final quarter, using a 12-4 run to retake the lead at 67-66 on a Johnson layup with 6:43 remaining. The game remained a one-possession affair until the Lady Eagles’ late push that set the stage for the dramatic finish.

Statistically, the game was won at the free-throw line and through ball security. Southern Mississippi attempted 37 free throws, making 30, while Old Dominion was 18 of 24. Both teams committed 12 turnovers, but Southern Mississippi converted those into 18 points, compared to 11 for Old Dominion. Old Dominion won the battle inside, outscoring Southern Mississippi 42-38 in the paint and grabbing 13 offensive rebounds, but shot just 29 of 76 (38.2%) from the field overall.

The announced attendance was 2,167. Southern Mississippi next hosts James Madison on Wednesday. Old Dominion travels to face Louisiana-Lafayette, also on Wednesday.