For the first time since the 1990s, the Lady Eagles will finally hang a championship banner as Southern Miss clinched a share of the Sun Belt regular season title after defeating Louisiana 69-64 overtime.
"We have talked this week about hanging a banner," Southern Miss coach Joye Lee-McNelis said in the postgame radio show. "We are fighting for a blue dot that has NCAA in it. I had them turn and look at the banners and I said we are 40 minutes away from hanging a banner."
Southern Miss' road to the moment was equally as hectic as the game with the Lady Eagles needed to win out with five games left to just secure a double bye. Southern Miss not only responded with five straight wins but in addition, the stars aligned with a loss by James Madison, allowing USM to clinch a share of the regular season championship.
It's the first time in McNelis' tenure at her alma mater that she has clinched a conference title.
"For all of our friends and family back at home, we finally won a championship for you," McNelis said.
Southern Miss was led by leading scorer Dominque Davis, who came up with game-sealing play in overtime. Louisiana had a chance to tie the game as the Rajin' Cajuns trailed 67-64 with nine seconds left. Davis, who posted 24 points, six rebounds and three steals, stole the ball and scored to secure the win.
"I can't say enough about Dom Davis stepping up," McNelis said. "She has ice in her veins."
Southern Miss secures the No. 3 seed in the Sun Belt conference tournament played in Pensacola, Florida. The Lady Eagles will play the winner of No. 6 Georgia, who will play the winner of No. 11 Arkansas State and No. 14 Louisiana-Monroe.
USM will play on Friday, March 2 at 5 p.m.
Follow @AndrewAbadie on Twitter for Southern Miss coverage.
