LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Freshman forward Kimberly Crown recorded her first career double-double and classmates Aaliyah Holmes and Kory Westerman registered double figure scoring performances as Southern Arkansas (2-5) outlasted Philander Smith (6-4) 63-55 on Thursday afternoon inside Mims Gymnasium in Little Rock.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 

• A frantic pace developed early on that saw the Lady Muleriders jump out to an 11-2 lead in the opening quarter, before Philander Smith scored three of the quarter's final four buckets.
• Southern Arkansas took a nine-point advantage, 27-18, into the intermission as they out-rebounded PSC (21-14), while outscoring the Lady Panthers in points off of turnovers (11-3).
• Defensively, Crown grabbed half of SAU's 16 defensive rebounds in the first half, while a suffocating Lady Mulerider defensive effort held Philander Smith to a shooting clip just over 23% from the floor through the first two quarters of action, including 18% (2-of-11) from beyond the arc.
• Nine SAU players registered seven or more minutes in the first two quarters, while eight Lady Muleriders scored in the first half led by sophomore guard Jasmyn Eckerman's seven points on 3-of-4 shooting.
• A minute and a half into the third quarter, PSC cut their deficit to five after a pair of quick scoring plays. SAU would close the quarter on a 14-7 run, courtesy of six points each from freshmen Erin Brinkley and Westerman, to take a 44-32 lead into the final ten minutes.
• The Lady Panthers would not go away quietly as they outscored SAU 23-19 in the fourth quarter and managed to cut their deficit to four with less than thirty seconds to play.
• Westerman and senior guard Faith Rolen registered successful free throws and Crown cashed in on a fast break layup from junior guard Anna Djedjemel to put the game away as SAU avenged a season-opening loss to the Lady Panthers.
• The Lady Muleriders never trailed in the contest, leading from the onset, while their largest lead came in at 15 points with 4:08 remaining in the game.

 
FOR SOUTHERN ARKANSAS
 

• Crown's first collegiate double-double came on 13 points and 11 rebounds, including shooting 9-of-12 from the charity stripe. It was the fifth time this season that she has scored in double figures and the fourth time leading the team in scoring. Her 11 rebounds were one shy of a career-high mark.
• Westerman's dozen points included a pair of successful three-point tries, while Holmes added a career-high ten points in a career-best 19 minutes of action.
• Eckerman logged six rebounds and team-highs in assists (3) and steals (2).

 
FOR THE OPPOSITION
 

• Terralyn Dominick led PSC with 17 points and five rebounds, while adding three assists and a pair of steals. Tierra Bell also logged five rebounds.
• Anqunetta Chatt and Tiffany Richardson each followed with ten points in a collective 40 minutes of action inside.
• Briana Heath produced a game-high four steals.

 
OF NOTE
 

• SAU made a season-high 25 free throws in 35 attempts (71.4%).
• The Lady Muleriders outscored the PSC bench 28-24 as 11 SAU players registered ten or more minutes of playing time.
• It was the first time this season that Southern Arkansas was outscored inside (18-26).

 
UP NEXT
 

• Southern Arkansas will return to action for the final time in 2016 on Monday, December 19, for a non-conference, in-region affair with Northeastern State at 1 p.m. inside W.T. Watson Center in Magnolia.
• Live stats for the contest can be found here: http://www.sidearmstats.com/saumag/wbball.
• Live video will also be provided: https://livestream.com/accounts/10140781.
• Be sure to visit muleriderathletics.com for continuing coverage of Lady Mulerider Basketball including pre- and post-game updates, weekly notes, and the coach's show with Head Coach Julio Pacheco.