South Alabama dominated Georgia Southern from start to finish, securing a convincing 87-71 victory at the Mitchell Center. The Jaguars' impressive performance was fueled by a balanced attack, with three players scoring in double figures. Adam Olsen led the charge, posting 22 points and 7 rebounds to pace South Alabama.
The Jaguars set the tone early, taking a 44-32 lead into halftime. Chaze Harris and Stephen Williams joined Olsen in double figures, scoring 21 and 19 points, respectively. Harris also dished out 8 assists, while Williams grabbed 9 rebounds to help South Alabama control the paint. The Jaguars' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with all five starters scoring at least 8 points.
Georgia Southern, on the other hand, struggled to find its rhythm. Spudd Webb was the lone bright spot for the Eagles, scoring 15 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. Nakavieon White and Tyren Moore added 13 and 11 points, respectively, but it wasn't enough to keep pace with South Alabama's high-powered offense. The Eagles trailed by as many as 18 points in the second half, and despite a late surge, they were unable to close the gap.
The outcome was never really in doubt, as South Alabama's lead never dipped below 10 points in the second half. The Jaguars' 43 second-half points were more than enough to seal the win, as they improved to 14-6 on the season. Georgia Southern, meanwhile, fell to 13-9.
This matchup was a Quadrant 4 game for South Alabama, meaning it was a game they were expected to win. While the victory won't significantly boost their tournament resume, it's a crucial win nonetheless. For Georgia Southern, this was a Quadrant 3 game, and the loss won't be overly damaging to their tournament hopes. However, the Eagles must regroup and refocus as they continue their season.
As it stands, South Alabama's win keeps them on track, but they'll need to continue to rack up victories to build a strong tournament case. With a current net ranking of 200, the Jaguars still have work to do to secure a spot in the postseason. Georgia Southern, with a net ranking of 239, faces an even tougher road ahead. The Eagles must string together some impressive wins to bolster their tournament chances. For now, South Alabama's dominant performance will be the focus, as they look to build on this momentum and make a push for the postseason.