Jags win one, drop one at home

After losing two key players due to foul trouble, the Southern University Jaguars women’s basketball team (11-6 overall, 7-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference) managed to hold on and avenge an earlier loss against the Lady Tigers of Grambling State University (12-5, 8-3), last Saturday in Clifford T. Seymour Gymnasium.
On Monday, February 10, the ladies did not fare as well against Jackson State University (16-4, 9-2 SWAC) losing 90-70, ending a 15-game home winning streak against SWAC opponents.
Leading the Jaguars over GSU was senior forward Angie Bullock with 20 points, hitting 14 in the second half, and six rebounds.
“Angie is probably the best athlete in the conference,” said head coach Sandy Pugh. “She was there and ready to play when we needed her.”
Senior forward Cherise Sims produced a season- high 15 points, five rebounds and six steals and senior forward Tremesha Colbert added 10 points and nine rebounds.
Leading Grambling in defeat were forward Chovanique Kibble with 19 points and 11 rebounds while guard Scherwanda Boston gave 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Center LaKandra Davis added 15 points
In Saturday night’s contest, the Jaguars managed to maintain a 15-point halftime lead over the Lady Tigers of GSU, before Southern went on a six-minute scoreless stretch, allowing GSU to go on a 11-0 scoring run.
“We knew they were going to come out ready to play,” said Colbert.
With 17:20 left in the half, Jaguar freshman guard Rolanda Monroe was ejected from the game after accumulating five fouls.
“Having Rolanda out of the game placed us in an awkward position,” said Pugh. “I was just glad that players like Angie and Cherise were able to step up and make some good plays for us.”
After senior guard Tommie Walden was removed from the game with 8:38 left in regulation, the situation got even more dire, but the Jaguars simply played tougher, holding the Lady Tigers scoreless through four plays.
“The intensity of the crowd will make you play harder,” said Colbert. “The fans were really behind us that night.”
In Monday’s competition, 6’7″ center Annie Williams of Jackson State University practically single-handly outplayed the Jaguars. Williams reached a season-high of 38 points with 15 rebounds and five blocks.
“Annie Williams is a monster,” said Pugh.
Williams scored Jackson State’s first six points of the contest before turning to veteran’s Lady Tigers Genina Johnson with 13 points.
Assisting J-State in victory was guard LaTesha Lee with 14 assists and 10 points.
Playing roles in the Jaguars’ 70 points were Monroe with 17 points, Bullock with 12, Sims and Colbert both with 11 points and Walden with 10.
After the tying six times in the first eight minutes of the game, J-State went ahead by eight; the Jaguars then got within one point, off a three-pointer by forward Shere’ Cunningham. At the half, the Jags trailed 31-30.
Jackson State went on to win the contest placing them in second place in the SWAC, with the Jaguars just behind them.
“We are basically playing for third place,” said Pugh.
The Jaguars will be back in action Saturday, February 15 in Pine-Bluff, Ark., against the Lady Golden Lions of the University of Arkansas at Pine-Bluff, at 5:30 p.m. The ladies will return home February 19 to play against the University of West Alabama.