The Jaguars handled business containing Alcorn State Saturday, storming out to a big lead on their way to defeating the Braves 65-54.
The Braves (4-16, 2-7 Southwestern Athletic Conference) were faced with a hostile and ever-growing crowd, shooting 25 percent for the game and only 11 percent in the first half.
“The crowd, is probably the reason we won tonight,” said head coach Roman Banks addressing the Jaguar Nation. “They were able to push through, give us a lot of momentum early and had our energy level pretty high.”
The game started with a dunk by 6-foot-8 senior Quinton Doggett, who leads the SWAC in rebounds (7.5 per game).
The Braves weren’t able to hold the Southern (11-11, 7-2 SWAC) being outscored in the first half 31-13.
The second half the SU seemed to relax, allowing Alcorn State to push out 41 points in the second half.
At one point SU’s 22-point lead dwindled down to only an 11-point lead.
“The thing that I like the most about our team, is that we didn’t allow them to get under double digits,” said Banks. “That’s a teaching moment for this team.”
The Jaguars struggled from the field shooting only 41 percent.
“We just wasn’t aggressive, they wanted to win the ball game and they knew they had a twenty point lead instead of attacking they just were playing careful to not lose the lead instead of playing,” said Banks.
Xavian Rimmer seemed to be the only productive Brave, leading his team with 14 points and also clocking in 30 minutes.
Speaking of minutes played, Fredrick Coleman went the distance playing the roll of the “garbage man,” playing the full 40 minutes.
“I embrace that job of being the junk man everyday, because not many people want to do that job, so somebody had to take that roll,” said Coleman after the game.
Coleman played his role like a seasoned veteran, pulling in 14 rebounds and also scoring 12 points giving him his first double-double of the season.
“Fred understands the game and has a great maturity level and we needed that out there on the field tonight,” said Banks addressing the play of Coleman.
Derick Beltran led the team in scoring with 14 points.
Jameel Grace, who leads the SWAC in assists (4.8 per game) tied with four other Jags with two assists (Cameron Monroe, Doggett, Mike Celestine and Neal Webb).
The Jaguars get their 11thwin of the season, and with this win this reach 11 wins for the first time since the 2007-08 season where the Jags finished 11-19.
The Jags return to action on the road Saturday, opening the second round of conference play at Grambling State (3-15, 3-5 SWAC) at 4 p.m. Southern’s next home game is Feb. 11 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-19, 1-7 SWAC).
Categories:
Jaguars rumble past Braves for 11th win
January 31, 2012
More to Discover
