Better Days:Jags End Losing Streak; top Bulldogs

The Southern Jaguars men’s basketball team took on Alabama A&M in what was a closely contested and defensively oriented affair.
The first half of play saw aggressive play from the Jags, who came out focused offensively and defensively against a skilled Alabama A&M team who was coming off of a loss vs Alabama State University.
Behind the scoring of Sidney Umude, the Jags were able to build an early lead of 21-10 midway through the first half of play. Umude would finish the game with 18 points and would lead both teams in scoring.
When asked about Umude’s performance after the game, Head Coach Sean Woods praised his play, but also noted that, “we have to get that contribution all of the time [from him] in order for us to achieve our goals going forward.”
After leading by as many as 16 points with less than five minutes left in the half, the Jags relinquished their lead by way of turnovers and inefficient offense for a stretch in the latter parts of the first half.
Behind the scoring of Sidney Umude and Richard Lee, the Jags took a 36-28 lead into the locker room heading into the second half of play.
Unlike the first half of play, the second half saw Alabama A&M knocking down three-pointers in an attempt to fight their way back into the game after falling down big earlier in the game.
Richard Lee, who knocked down three-3 pointers in the first half of the game, continued his hot shooting from the field in the second half of play. Lee finished the game with 12 points, going 4-10 from the field while tallying four rebounds.
While Alabama A&M would make a push to get back into the game later in the 2nd half behind a late three-point shooting streak, Umude and the Jags wouldn’t relinquish their lead at all in the 2nd half of play.
Getting contributions from all over the floor, including Umude who would score 8 points in the second half, the Jags were able to hold on to their lead late in the fourth quarter to defeat the Alabama A&M Bulldogs by a score of 59-49.
“We haven’t been making shots, especially on the road. But were able to come home and make some shots,” said Coach Sean Woods when asked how his team came out with the win after losing the last couple of games.
Although the Jags were able to secure the victory against Alabama A&M, this was their 5th win of the season, and as such, the men’s team is currently on the outside looking in as far as tournament talk goes.
“Even though it’s been a tough season, these guys haven’t quit. They’re defending like no other, [and even in loses] we’ve been putting on a clinic defensively,” said Coach Woods in reference to his team’s struggles this season and their response to that adversity.
The Jaguars will face Alcorn at home next Saturday at 5pm on Senior Night to finish their home schedule out strong.