Birmingham Bound

The Southern University women’s basketball team, under the direction of second-year head coach Sandy Pugh is headed to Birmingham.
The Jaguars defeated the Lady Panthers of Prairie A&M University 69-44 to advance to the semifinals.
In last Thursday night’s game, the Jaguars allowed the Lady Panthers to put up 54 points, this time Southern forced 25 turnovers with 17 steals, holding Prairie View to 34.7 percent shooting.
“Our activity was definitely better, as far as hitting some passing lanes and getting a lot of pressure on the basketball,” Pugh said.
Cherise Sims emerged as the leading scorer for the Jaguars. Sims went 8-for-14, making eight 3-pointers, including one to close the game, accumulating 25 points.
“The past few games I haven’t been hitting and coach has been stressing it’s do-or-die time,” said Sims “I wanted to step up.”
Sims, who had four back-to-back games during the month of January, in which she reached double figures, recently suffered an injury to her ankle slowing her down on the court.
“Cherise played an outstanding game on both ends of the floor,” Pugh said. “She took a lot of heat off us, because Jackie just couldn’t find her shot. There’s something about this gym, where Jackie doesn’t shoot well here.”
Winfield, shooting 3-for-15, added 12 points, her lowest total since February 2, had eight assists, one shy of her career best. And Tammy Bullock scored 12 points, all in the second half.
Additionally, junior Tremesha Colbert, who had seven points for the night, scored her 1,000th point, 23 seconds into the second half.
Tanisha Lee gave Prairie View 18 points, getting 15 in the first half.
After tying the game at five, the Jaguars went on a 12-1 run, while the Lady Panthers went seven minutes between field goals.
With a 30-18 lead the Jaguars went on a 16-4 run to open the second half, gaining a 46-22 lead before the closing the game, Jaguars victory.
The Jaguars will take on Jackson State University, in the semifinals. Southern defeated the Lady Tigers, in both of this season’s contests. The Lady Tigers defeated Alcorn State University in their quarterfinal match-up, 60-46 to advance to the semifinals.
“We are getting back on track,” said Pugh.
“I feel we are prepared, but you can never be too prepared,” stated Sims. “I just hope we can go out and win.”
Tip-off is set for, Friday at noon, in the Fair Park Arena.