By Destiny Hartwell
JACKSONVILLE, FL — Finding a rhythm in an inaugural season is never easy, especially on the road against a relentless opponent. On Friday night, the Savannah Steel faced another tough test in Jacksonville, dropping a 73-57 decision to the Waves to kick off an eight-game road swing.
While the outcome marks the Steel’s ninth straight loss to a sharp Waves squad this year, Savannah’s resilience and individual flashes of brilliance showed a team that continues to fight through adversity.
Early Struggles in the First Quarter
Jacksonville hit the ground running on their home floor, launching a quick 10-0 run in the opening minutes that forced Savannah into an early timeout to regroup. Olivia Cochran put the Steel on the board with a baseline fadeaway jumper at the 6:55 mark to settle the offense, but early ball-handling hiccups and Jacksonville’s physical presence on the glass made for an uphill battle. The Waves capitalized on second-chance opportunities to take a 23-5 lead after one quarter.
Second-Quarter Spark Off the Bench
Savannah refused to throw in the towel, tightening up defensively and battling to match Jacksonville’s pace in the second frame. A major highlight for the Steel came from newcomer Ja’Leah Williams, playing in just her second UPSHOT League game. Williams provided an immediate spark off the bench, sinking back-to-back buckets late in the half to energize the lineup and cut into the deficit before the teams headed into the locker room with the Steel trailing 39-21 at the break.
The Steel continued to push in the third quarter, working to string together defensive stops and offensive momentum. Though Jacksonville managed to maintain a 55-36 lead heading into the final period, Savannah kept the pressure on until the game’s final seconds.
Que Morrison set the tone with a gritty, complete performance, leading the squad with 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Williams continued her strong transition into the rotation, delivering 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Even as the offensive rhythm slowed for both sides in the fourth, Savannah fought through every possession to chip away at the lead, showcasing the grit that will be vital for the remainder of their road trip.
Looking Ahead: Road Trip Continues in Charlotte
There is little time to rest, but the Steel have an immediate opportunity to reset, adjust, and channel this effort into the win column. Savannah now packs up for a six-hour trip to the Queen City to clash with the Charlotte Crown, with tip-off scheduled for 4:00 PM.
Single-game and season tickets for upcoming Steel home games can be purchased on the official Savannah Steel website or by calling (912) 494-2868.
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