With both teams being Top 5 in the SWAC, this rivalry match-up was an instant classic with no question. The Southern Jaguars are seeded first with the opposing Jackson State seeded fourth, and the bitter rival between the two teams could not make this game any more competitive than it was. The stage was set with an intense crowd to complement the aggressiveness on the floor, the last year when these teams saw each other was at Jackson State with Southern coming away with the win 72-63.
The Jags came out the gate hot shooting from the perimeter, hitting seven 3s early in the first half, Junior guard Cam Amboree recorded 4 of those 7. Jackson State struggled to find a rhythm against the Jaguar defense, trailing by 16 after halftime. On top of the early foul trouble, Jackson State allowed Southern to go 6-8 from the free-throw line. Likewise, Jackson State came out of the half with a chip on their shoulder cutting the lead down to 2 to start the second half, taking advantage of Southern’s aggressive playstyle bringing up 20-26 from the free throw to help them in their hunt of the lead. Southern found a bit of a rhythm and both teams were battling for the lead. Jackson State showed some clutch genes hitting a 3 late in the second half to force the game into overtime. Transfer Andre Nunley went on an 8-0 run to put the Jags in the lead. Just like any classic, this game was filled with back-and-forth dominance from both teams and controversial calls, Jackson State would foul Southern late, and the jaguar defense would get the stop they needed to seal the game.
Junior guard Michael Jacobs was asked about the intensity of the game, he replied, “As a competitor, this is what you live for, this is what gets your blood rushing, as a competitor these are the games you hope for, this is what makes the game fun.” Jacobs pulled his weight in this win by having 17 points, 2 assists, and 2 rebounds. Head Coach Kevin Johnson was asked about what games like this tell him about his team when they come out on top in big games by WAFB he says, “It tells you about the character of these guys, you know they work their tails off every day. Even when we are not playing our best they don’t stop fighting and that’s the effort we needed tonight.”
The Jaguars will remain at the top of the SWAC exceeding their conference record to 10-0. The next opponent for the Jags will be the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at their home in Huntsville, Alabama at Alabama A&M University Event Center on Saturday, February 8, 2024.
