Jags top Wiley in Exhibition Play

The Southern University men’s basketball team took to the court for the first time this season in an exhibition vs Wiley College. 
Hoping to make improvements from last season’s disappointing 6-12 conference record in the SWAC, this year’s Jaguar basketball team came out with intensity to take an advantage early in the first half of play. 
While the Jags performed admirably on offense throughout the night, their defensive discipline also played a significant role in building up their lead. The Jags defense managed to hold Wiley to 43% shooting in the first half of play, while forcing 8 turnovers. 
Halfway through the first half of play with 8:00 left on the clock, the Jags were shooting 66.7% from the field in the first half while knocking down 4 of 8 of their three pointers.  Taking a commanding double digit lead early, Southern’s efficient scoring led to the Jags leading for the entirety of the first half. 
Introducing an almost completely new roster from last season, the Jags got production from all around with freshman forward Damiree Burns leading Southern in scoring with 6 points at halftime. The Jags led Wiley College 37-28 going into the break. 
The second half of play saw much of the same from both teams, with Southern continuing to shoot at a high clip and place defense at a high level. 
Sophomore guard Jayden Saddler continued the efficient scoring from the Southern backcourt in the second half of play, accounting for 12 points in total on the night. 
Southern kept up their defensive intensity as they forced Wiley to shoot an abysmal 33.3 percent in the second half of play. Wiley College finished the game with an overall field goal percentage of 43 percent. None of the starters for Wiley College finished the game with a positive plus/minus. 
Southern finished the game shooting 66 percent from the field and 50% from behind the arc to take a commanding and efficient offensive start to their 2019-2020 campaign. 
After continuing their defensive dominance in the second half, the Jags managed to extend their lead and defeat Wiley College with a score of 78-57. 
The Jaguars will play Loyola at home on November 6 in the F.G. Clark Activity Center in hopes of creating an early win streak to start off the season.