Jackson State ends Texas Southern bid at consecutive SWAC titles

Box Score
Birmingham, Ala. – Jackson State proved why college basketball in March is so special.
In quarterfinal game action of the 2004 Southwestern Athletic Conference men’s basketball tournament No. 6 seed JSU defeated No. 3 seed Texas Southern University 71-62 at Fair Park Arena.
After making a huge turnaround from shooting only 29.6 percent from the field in the first half, JSU (12-16) came out and scored on 48.3 percent of their shots in the second half. For the game, they were 39.3 percent from the field.
“We shot the ball much better in the second half,” said Jackson State head coach Tyvester Anderson. “I was really proud of the way we hung in there and showed some toughness and character.”
JSU senior guard K.C. Cavette led his team with the game high 20 points. Behind Cavette was teammate junior guard Antonio Williams-Parker, who helped to finish off TSU (14-15).
Trailing 57-61 at the 2:58 mark, Williams-Parker added eight of his 17 points, including a three-point field goal from NBA-range field gold. He was 7-of-9 from the free throw line.
There were three lead changes and the score was tied twice.
It was not until 9:07 in regulation and 46-47 on the boards when Cavette made two free throws helping his team claim the lead for the second time and taking control of the game.
The first lead JSU had was in the first half at 9:08 with the score 16-14. Texas Southern led most of the game, their biggest lead being a nine point advantage at 5:15 before the half.
“Basically, we just got out hustled in the second half,” said Texas Southern head coach Ronnie Courtney. “I think the achilles heal for us in this game was not being able to make free throws down the stretch.”
TSU shot 15-for-28 from the free throw line.
Jackson State will have a chance at improving their shooting performance when they face the winner of game three in Fair Park Arena between Southern University Jaguars and Alabama State on Friday at 5 p.m.