Jags brace for GSU

The 2008 football season came to an abrupt end after the Jaguars loss to Grambling State in the closing seconds of the Bayou Classic.


However, part two features both men’s and women’s basketball teams as they look to finish the job against the Tigers on Saturday in yet another Bayou Classic showdown at 5:30 p.m. in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.


The Jaguars (10-7 overall, 7-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) are riding a three-game win streak into Saturday’s game recently defeating Alcorn State 65-59. SU is currently in the No. 2 spot behind Prairie View A&M in SWAC play, and is the only team to defeat PV, wining 63 – 58 on Jan. 5.
“We control our own destiny right now, being successful on the road is key,” said assistant head coach Carlos Funchess. SU head coach Sandy Pugh was unavailable for comment.


According to Funchess, the team is still expected to overcome the obstacles they may face this late in the season despite being short on players. He also noted each win puts them in better position to become SWAC champions.

Sadly, the Lady Jags will still have to do without injured forward Freda Allen, who is out for the season, suffering from an ACL injury.


“I expect the girls to play mistake free basketball and score more inside buckets,” Funchess said.


Therefore, the Lady Jags will be counted on to make crucial plays late in the game, hit clutch free-throws, and force turnovers if they want to have a shot at a SWAC title.

 Earlier in the season, The Lady Jags suffered their first conference defeat by the hands of Grambling, but are looking to bite back to protect their position in SWAC play.


On the other side, a good old-fashion rivalry game can do wonders for the men’s basketball team. The Jags started their 2008-2009 schedule losing 12 consecutive games, but look forward to turning things around in this heated rivalry.
Grambling handed SU a conference loss earlier this season, but with potential hopes of a SWAC title, the Jaguars are looking to defend their territory with a win on Saturday.
Head coach Rob Spivery encourages the student body to come and show support, which motivates the players to play better.
“Playing non-conference games didn’t fair to well this season, but being able to win within our conference leads to good basketball play,” said Spivery.
The team has played with a great confidence as of late, but developing team chemistry in the locker room, and unselfish play has the team gaining momentum with each win. 

The hype of the Bayou Classic football game has overshadowed all the other sports within the rivalry, but with the men’s and women’s basketball teams set to due battle, coming away with a win would mean a great deal for both SU basketball teams.