Box Score
BIRMINGHAM,Ala – The Southern Jaguars were ‘Oh So Close.’
But closein points don’t win championships as the Jaguars fell to the Alabama StateHornets, 54-40 in the SouthwesternAthletic Conference semi-finals, at the BJCC in Birmingham, Ala., Fridayevening.
The Jaguarscouldn’t recover from the sting of the Hornets because of a horrible offense.The Jaguars shot 16-52 in field goals and 14-22 of their free throws. Alexander led the team with 19 points while Deon Saunders added 12points and three rebounds.
”We had our chances to take control ofthe game and we didn’t do it,” said Southern coach Michael Grant. “This is very typical of the way weplayed the whole season.”
With only2:03 remaining, Southern failed to execute at the free throw line and in thepaint. They had a two pointdifference in the score 49-47, but missed free throws by Jarvis Vaughn and missedthree-point shots by Trayvean Scott and Alexander caused the Jaguars to notadvance.
AlabamaState’s Kevin Spicer was sent to the line twice when Southern’s Peter Ciprianoreceived his fourth and fifth foul, making the score to 53-47, with 19-seconds toplay.
Anotherfoul by Southern’s Vaughn sent Spicer again to the line where he made one freethrow and Alexander’s three-point shot in the final seconds made the finalscore 54-50.
“We alwayscome up short, not only on wins and victories by losing a lot of close games,but having the opportunity to win,” said Grant. “We didn’t play as a team and it looked like we were selfishout there.”
Southernhad a lead of six in the first half with a layup by Alexander raising the scoreto 11-5. After a tie of 11-11with8:25 remaining in the first half, Alabama State resumed the lead the rest ofthe half. A dunk by Southern’sCipriano made a one point game 18-17 for the Jaguars. Missed shots by the Jaguars allowed the Hornets to make fourpoints and end the half at 22-17.
“I’m soproud of their effort, their performance and for us to be in the championshipgame again, ” said Alabama State’s coach Rob Spivey.
AlabamaState’s Herbert Warren substituted for starting guard Ralfeal Golden. whoplayed only seven minutes due to a knee injury from the Prairie View game.
“I playedall I could and contribute what I can contribute,” said Warren. “I told Ralfeal Golden I was not goingto let him go out in his senior year.” Herbert had 13 points and Spicer had 14 points.
The Jaguarsopportunity to win was due to the lack of playing as a team and makingshots.
“Playersmake plays. We got five seniors onthis team and out of those three guys (Alexander, Jerimie Collier, and Scott),two of those seniors (Collier and Scott) they shot 0-9 in a big game, ” saidGrant. “So they put themselves ina situation to make plays and they shoot 30-percent.”
This wassenior forward Cipriano last game in the SWAC.
“It’s areal emotional time,” said Cipriano. ”They gave us the game and we just didn’t take it, we didn’texecute.” Cipriano had only threepoints, 10 rebounds and one block.
“They hadtheir chance to win tonight, they just did not take care of business,” saidGrant. They settled for jump shotsinstead of going to the basket.”
AlabamaState advances to the SWAC Men’s championship game against Alabama A&M onSunday, March 13 at 11 p.m., which will be televised on ESPN2.
