Jaguars Upset First Place Lady Hornets, Beat A&M

Every game matters, but some just happen to mean more than others. That was exactly the case when the Southern University Jaguars women’s basketball team (15-6 overall, 11-4 SWAC) took on and defeated the former undefeated Lady Hornets of Alabama State University (15-8, 13-2 SWAC) 60-58, last Saturday.
A seemingly tired Jaguars squad then turned around and defeated the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M University on the following Monday, 65-57
It was guard and current SWAC Player of the Week Tommie Walden’s wild and crazy tactics that gave the Jaguars victory over the team that holds the first place position in the Southwestern Athletic Conference standings.
“I was holding my breath as we all watched the ball take its time falling through the net,” said Jag’s head coach Sandy Pugh. “Tommie had missed a lot of lay-ups in practice, but she made it when it counted the most.”
The shot, which was reminiscent of one of Kobe Bryant’s memorable shots taken during the 2002 play-offs, hit the backboard just as the final buzzer began to sound before swirling the rim and then falling to floor.
It was Walden who sat beneath the goal as freshman guard Rolanda Monroe’s jumper fell short. It was Walden who simply tossed the ball back into the air, hoping the shot would fall.
“I wanted to win this game at any cost,” said Walden.
The Jaguars, who are currently ranked third in the SWAC, gave the Lady Hornets what they gave them last season-their only conference loss.
Leading the Jaguars was senior forward Cherise Sims with 13 points. Walden put up 11 points, seven rebounds (a season high) and four steals, senior forward Angela Bullock and Monroe added 10 points a piece. Monroe also had five assists.
Setting the pace for ASU was Shameka Jackson with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Going into the second half with the score tied at 30, the Lady Hornets managed to bring the score to 43-37 before the Jaguars went on a 14-0 run to bring the score to 51-43.
Walden’s game-winning shot came with the score tied at 58 with just under seven seconds left in regulation.
“Walden’s unusual technique is what won the game for us,” said Pugh.
In Monday night’s game, Walden’s career highs of 21 points and 11 rebounds were represented the Jaguars fourth straight victory.
The Lady Bulldogs, who have never defeated the Jaguars under the direction of Sandy Pugh, are currently 8-16 on the season and 3-12 in SWAC play.
In addition to Walden’s efforts, Bullock produced 17 points and a career high 11 rebounds and senior forward Tremesha Colbert added 10 points and seven rebounds.
“It was a long night,” said Pugh. “We were tired, we missed a lot of wide open shots and Cherise is a slump…just exhausted.”
The Jaguars shot a season-low 3-for-23 from three-point range and went 8-for-19 from the free-throw line.
“We did a lot of watching…not really in the game, just there,” said Pugh. “We may have been a little overconfident, thinking we could go in and play lackluster basketball, but every game counts.”
The Jaguars will take on the Lady Braves of Alcorn State University in their final home game of the season, Saturday March 1 at 5:30 p.m. in Clifford T. Seymour Gymnasium. The Jaguars were defeated in their last match-up 79-70.