Jaguars power past Hornets

 
The F.G. Clark Activity Center rocked Monday night as Southern’s fast-paced transition offense ran past Alabama State, defeating the Hornets 68-56.
The atmosphere in the Minidome was electric, with a season-high attendance of 1,477 fans.
The Human Jukebox entertained well throughout the game along with the “thunder sticks” that were given to the fans, the Jaguar Nation represented well as the sixth man.
Southern (10-11, 6-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) controlled the game from start to finish, shooting 54 percent from the field and allowing the Hornets to take the lead only twice in the entire game.
The Jaguars had three players to score in double digits with Derick Beltran and Quinton Doggett leading the team with 17 points each.
Jameel Grace added 16 points to the score and led the team in assists with five.
“We try to do our job on the court and play hard so the fans can respect how we play and even on a bad night if we lose they still see that we are working hard to please them,” SU men’s head coach Roman Banks said after the game.
Doggett, who played a key roll in the Jaguars victory lead the team with eight rebounds and six blocks.
Beltran and Grace both pulled in six rebounds.
Alabama State (7-12, 4-3 SWAC) shot 33 percent from the field and Ivory White was the only player to reach double digits scoring 12 points and also getting 11 rebounds giving him a double-double.
The win moves the Jaguars to into second place in the SWAC standings behind conference frontrunner Mississippi Valley State (8-11, 7-0) heading into this weekend. Southern finishes the first round of SWAC play at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at home against Alcorn State (4-15, 2-6), and a win over the Braves would give the Jaguars a .500 record for the second time this season.
Prior to this season, Southern’s last time with a .500 record came after splitting games between SMU and Paul Quinn at the start of the 2007-08 season.
 
Doggett earns SWAC POTW honor
Southern forward Quinton Doggett earned his second SWAC Player of the Week honor Wednesday for his performance in games played Jan. 21 and Jan. 23. 
Southern (10-11, 6-2) is off to its best start in SWAC play since 2006 when the Jaguar captured their first regular season title in 16 years.
The 6-foot-7 Richmond, Va., native, averaged 19 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting nearly 65 percent from the field as the Jaguars swept Alabama A&M and Alabama State.
In the Jaguars 68-56 win over Alabama State, Doggett posted a solid with a 17-point performance and adding eight rebounds and six blocks.
Southern hosts Alcorn State Saturday on “Remember Bobby Phills” night in the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Phills, a former SU standout and NBA star with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets, passed away tragically after an automobile accident in Charlotte, N.C. in 2000.
Saturday’s game will be broadcasted live on Cox Sports (Cable Ch. 37, HD-1037) beginning with women’s action at 2 p.m.  Tipoff for the men’s game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.