Southern University Jaguars (17-9, 12-1 SWAC) dodged a tense rally by Texas Southern (11-15, 8-5 SWAC) and approached the regular season before the crucial 66-57 in Baton Rouge The title of the meeting secured victory. Southern wiped out the season series against the Tigers.
Jaguars’ Michael Jacobs led all scorers with 20 points, adding two rebounds and a set of assists. Jordan Johnson contributed 11 points and three rebounds.
Recorded shooting rates in the South were 42.6% overall, 29.4% from the 3-point range and 67.7% from the free throw line. The Jaguars drove out TSU 35-24 and dominated the paint, scoring 26-18 points.
After a 38-26 lead at halftime, the Jaguars’ lead swelled to 19 points at some point in the second half. After asking for a timeout, Johnny Jones deployed a full-court press defense. This strategy created the most southerly 16 turnovers by the Jaggs in half this season.
The Tigers reduced the lead to 51-48, 3:39 left in the game.
Manager Kevin Johnson rebutted Jones’ Maneuver on zone defense, halting TSU’s goals and helping him regain momentum.
The Texas Southern arrived within four points from the South, but the Jaguar controlled the tempo as Kenny Hunter sat on the bench with four fouls.
The game became more intense as both teams actively pursued the ball, leading to hard fouls and sales.
TSU’s momentum shifted when the judge issued a technical foul on Duane Posey for provoking Cam Amboree after a personal foul was called under the basket. Amboree created one of two free throws to give Southern a 59-53 lead.
Praise the Jaguar for keeping himself calm for the rest of the game. They scored seven additional points and secured a 66-57 victory with the relentless Texas Southern team.
The Tigers’ main scorer was an active Colby Granger with 16 points, seven rebounds, six steels and four assists. Kavion McClain supported Granger with 12 points, eight assists and two rebounds. Duane Posey scored nine points and Zytarious Mortle scored seven points.
South Texas registered 33.9% from the field, 11.8% beyond the arc and 73.9% from the free throw line.
Both teams had 71 property in the SWAC Cat’s controversial clash!
The South will visit the road for the fight against Grambling State on Saturday, February 22nd at 4:30pm, with the lead in command of the SWAC.
Texas Southern will return to Houston to host the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils with a 5pm CT tip-off at H&PE Arena.
