Jags nearly lose another one to UAPB

After nearly blowing a 23-point lead in the second half of its game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Southern managed to hold on in Saturday’s 71-68 win over the Golden Lions.
“The first half was an outstanding half for us,” said Southern coach Rob Spivery. “We held them to 25 points. Unfortunately for us, we couldn’t duplicate that in the second half.”
The Jaguars went on a 19-3 run to take a 22-9 lead with 11:43 remaining until halftime, when Southern led 46-25 at halftime before the Golden Lions inched closer.
It was in that duration Alexander made four of his six 3-pointers in that spurt, including three straight from the right corner before UAPB head coach Van Holt requested a time-out in an attempt to try to cool the Jags.
Saturday’s game was the second time the Jaguars have blown a double-digit lead against the Golden Lions and nearly lost. When Southern faced UAPB on Jan. 14, the Jags had a 19-point, second-half lead cut to one in the final seconds before winning 60-58.
The win allows Southern (11-11 overall, 10-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) to keep its first-place standings in the conference.
Jags senior guard Chris Alexander contributed to the 23-point first-half lead by hitting six of eight from beyond the arch. Alexander had 20 of his game-high 23 points in the first half.
Prior to Saturday’s game, junior forward DeForrest Riley-Smith was 13 of 18 from 3-point land. Against the Golden Lions (7-13, 4-8), he made five of the nine 3-pointers he attempted, and finished with 22 points and five rebounds.
Riley-Smith’s greatest contribution could have been, perhaps, the five of six free throws he made during the final minute of regulation.
With 4:30 left in regulation, Riley-Smith’s 3-pointer gave the Jaguars a 65-56 lead, but a few seconds later, junior forward William Byrd answered a 3-pointer of his own. During the last minute the Golden Lions came within one point twice.
“We stopped being aggressive,” Alexander said. “We weren’t doing what we did in the first half.”
Both UAPB junior guard V’Angelo Smith and Byrd scored 16 points, while junior forward Jarvis Gunter finished with 10 points.
Peter Cipriano, a senior forward scored eight points, grabbed nine rebounds, two blocks and a steal.
According to Alexander, in order to prevent repeat performances of blowing leads and playing “catch up,” he said the Jaguars would take each game one at a time.
“We look at it as another opportunity,” he said.
 
GAME NOTES
During Saturday’s game, coaches from both teams wore sneakers with their suits for the Coaches vs. Cancer Program. The program is to help combat cancer and sponsored by the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.