Boombox Classic on the Hardwood

The Southern University and Jackson State rivalry has taken place for 64 years across various sports and this most recent matchup has proven to be one for the books. This past week the Jaguars played the Tigers at home in hopes of becoming the #1 ranked team in the SWAC conference in an atmosphere you would’ve had to see to believe.
Our Lady Jags started their game with a clear disadvantage in height with 4 of the Lady Tigers starting 5 being 6’0 ft or over. Frustration was evident with the Lady Jags’ attitudes as each attempted score would be swiftly blocked by the blockade of big ladies the Tigers had on display. Even though the Tigers had a clear advantage, their shots would just not go in resulting in the quarter ending at jaguars- 9 Tigers- 14. With a change in the lineup in the 2nd quarter, this Lady Jag team started to look like a different team. The more effective defense was being played to put the Lady Jags only 2 possessions behind with 7:28 left on the clock. Senior Guard Genovea Johnson drove to the goal for 2 only to be returned the favor by the Lady Tigers #24 junior guard who shot a 3. The energy from the fans was electric throughout the mini dome and proved to be essential for the overall mentality of the Lady jags. Going into halftime the score stood at Jaguars- 24 Tigers- 25. Halfway into the 3rd quarter, both teams continuously drew fouls to make the game a SWAC staple with the score 35 even. With a late surge in the last 2 minutes of the quarter, the Lady jags take the first lead of the night 40-35. #12 of the Lady Tigers graduate guard Jariyah Covington showed impressive ball handling to put the score Jags- 43 Tigers-46 with the conclusion of the 3rd quarter. With the Lady Jaguars seemingly running out of gas to keep up with the Lady Tigers in the 4th quarter, the Tigers take it home to Jackson to become #1 in the SWAC conference, Jaguars- 57 Tigers- 64.
Now let’s move on to the men. It was clear out of the gate that the Jaguars were out of position for 3 possessions at the start of the 1st half which resulted in 2 back to back turnovers. Out of a timeout the restructure was effective with the Jaguars’ trap defense proving impenetrable. #0 junior Forward Terrell Williams with aggressive drives to the goals and the jags are now showing a unified team. Simultaneous 3s put the jaguars on the map. #21 forward Festus Ndumanya shows that standing at 6 ‘7 he deserves his big man title not allowing any field goals in the paint for the duration he was in the entire 1st half. This has become a game of 3s with the Tigers trailing the Jaguars 41% behind the 3pt line. The Jaguars close out with a 19-0 run. Playing an amazing first half the jaguars lead with the current score standing at 40-15. The halftime break seemed effective in regrouping the Tigers as they garnered 17 more points. The Jaguars’ huge lead started to slowly close as the Tigers’ offense aggressively presses the paint due to #13 junior Forward Romelle Mansel with 10:65 left in the half. Carelessly and a determined offense accounted for the 18-4 run the tigers were currently on. The score now stands at Jaguars- 54 Tigers- 42 with 7:18 on the clock. As the clock ran down to close out the night the Jaguars blew a 25-point lead and somehow hold off the Jackson State Tigers from taking it home. The game concluded with the Jaguars holding the current #1 rank in the SWAC Conference.