MARDI GRAS RECAP:No Audience, No Problem Jags Hoops keeps winning despite empty seats

According to statistics published on the official SWAC website involving all ten men’s collegiate basketball programs, Team A averages 898 fans per game, while Team B averages 3,155 fans per game. Team A averages more points per game than Team B. Team A allows fewer points per game than team B. Team A has a higher shooting percentage of three pointers and free throws compared to Team B. Team A grabs more rebounds than Team B. Both Team A and Team B have players who rank among the top 10 in the conference. Both Team A and Team B have top 10 assist leaders on their teams. Both teams have two of the ten best three point shooters to date. Which team represents Southern?
The answer: Team A is none other than the Southern University Jaguars men’s basketball team (12-14, 8-5 SWAC), while Team B was the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions.
The last meeting between the two teams came Saturday, February 10 at the F.G. Clark Activity Center, right on the cusp of Mardi Gras break.
The Jags lost their first meeting against the Golden Lions in a close 78-76 overtime game at Pine Bluff in early January. With a 5-1 record since then, Southern had been steadily improving behind the stellar play of junior guard, Eddie Reese, and senior forward, Jared Sam. Coming into Saturday night’s game, the Jaguars looked to continue their championship-caliber play.
To start the game off, the Jags came out with very low energy and were out hustled on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball as UAPB took an early 9-0 advantage.
Speaking with head coach Morris Scott, he had this to say about the start to the game: “The first half, I thought we were a little too excited. Right out the gate, we came out and we missed some easy baskets.”
Reese’s consistent three point shooting contributions kept the Jags afloat in the first half as UAPB matched the SU offense shot for shot. The Golden Lions refused to go down easily and did enough right for the rest of the first half to take a 31-27 lead into the locker room.
After halftime however, the game turned in the Jaguars’ favor early and they never looked back. Starting with two buckets by senior guard, Chris Thomas halfway through the 2nd half, the Jags were able to overwhelm the once-suffocating Lions defense. Reese finished the game with 19 points and 6 assists.
Despite leading by as many as 11 points in the 2nd half, Sam, the team’s leading scorer, only shot 3 of 14 from the field through the entirety of the game. Sam finished the game with a 14 point-11 rebound double-double as his teammates continued to feed him down the stretch. The Jags went on to win the game with a score of 70-62.
After the game, Eddie Reese spoke about the game UAPB played and how it felt beating them after dropping their first contest, “They [are] the number one team so we know they’re going to come out and compete. We had them last game but we just let it slip away.”
Fast forward one week later, Southern is second in the conference standings in front of UAPB. Which proved Saturday’s home game to be huge. The official attendance: 1,011.
During halftime, members of the 1992-93 men’s basketball team were honored in celebration of the 25th anniversary of their dominant 93-78 victory over Georgia Tech during the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Other than highlights of iconic head coach, Ben Jobe, and the play of Jervaughn Scales, Leonard White, and the rest of the team, what stood out during the video tribute was the number of passionate fans that traveled to cheer Southern on to victory.
So, not only was Saturday a huge conference game, but one of the most legendary teams in Southern’s prestigious sports history were honored. Yet again, the official attendance: 1,011.
At some point, the burden can’t continue to be placed on the athletics department. The arena staff are just as friendly and professional as always. The Geaux Team was out in full force, per usual. The halftime entertainment was on point. The Kiss Cam was unexpected, but added a nice touch. The only thing that was missing, and continues to be missing, is you.
This past football season, the biggest crowd came for the Bayou Classic, drawing an attendance of over 66,000 fans. The winner received the honor of representing the SWAC at the Celebration Bowl. This March, Southern could see Grambling State in the SWAC Championship game in both men’s and women’s basketball, with the honor of representing the SWAC in the NCAA Tournament. Maybe that’s what it will take for fans to show up.