Southern secured a hard-fought 69-68 win over Alabama State at the F.G. Clark Activity Center, with DaMariee Jones' impressive double-double leading the charge. Jones tallied 12 points and 12 rebounds, while AJ Barnes and Michael Jacobs chipped in with 12 and 11 points, respectively. The Jaguars' victory was predicted by CHD Scout, who forecasted a Southern win by 8.2 points, although the actual margin was much slimmer.
DaMariee Jones' 12-12 Double-Double Marks His Third of the Season
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Alabama State taking a 37-35 lead into halftime. Micah Simpson was the standout performer for the Hornets, scoring a game-high 19 points. However, Southern's balanced attack and strong rebounding ultimately was the difference. The Jaguars outrebounded Alabama State 41-36, with Jones and Barnes combining for 17 boards.
In the second half, Southern slowly built a lead, but Alabama State refused to back down. The Hornets trimmed the deficit to one point with just minutes remaining, setting up a tense finish. Southern's defense held firm, though, and the Jaguars escaped with a narrow victory. The win was a reflection of Southern's resilience, as they withstood a strong challenge from a determined Alabama State side.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The outcome was always likely to be close, given the relative strengths of the two teams. While Southern's net ranking of 283 gives them a significant edge over Alabama State's 321, the Hornets have shown an ability to compete with more highly-ranked opponents. In the end, Southern's superior depth and home-court advantage told, as they ground out a crucial win.
The victory has real consequences for Southern's tournament resume. As a Quadrant 4 win, it may not greatly enhance their chances, but it does help to bolster their overall record. With an 11-13 mark, the Jaguars still have work to do to convince the selection committee of their worthiness. However, by defeating Alabama State, they have at least avoided a potentially damaging loss.
For Alabama State, the defeat is a setback, but not a devastating one. The Hornets have shown flashes of promise this season, and their performance against Southern suggests they can be competitive against similarly-ranked opponents. While their tournament hopes are unlikely to materialize, they can still take pride in pushing a more highly-regarded team to the limit.