South Alabama Edges Georgia State 69-67 in Tight Contest

South Alabama secured a hard-fought 69-67 victory over Georgia State at the Mitchell Center, with Chaze Harris leading the charge. Harris posted an impressive 15 points and 6 assists, guiding the Jaguars to their 16th win of the season. The outcome was closely contested, with South Alabama ultimately prevailing by a slim 2-point margin.

The first half saw South Alabama take a 36-33 lead into the break, with Harris and Jayden Cooper combining for 16 points. However, Georgia State's Malachi Brown was unstoppable, scoring 21 points and grabbing 9 rebounds to keep his team within striking distance. Brown's dominant performance was complemented by Jelani Hamilton's 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Jaguars' balanced attack.

In the second half, South Alabama's Adam Olsen stepped up, scoring 10 points and pulling down 11 rebounds to help his team maintain their lead. Despite a late surge from Georgia State, the Jaguars held on for the win. The Panthers' Trey Scott III added 10 points, but his team's efforts fell just short.

CHD Scout had predicted a South Alabama victory by 8.7 points, and while the actual margin was much narrower, the predicted winner was correct. The Jaguars' win was a reflection of their resilience and ability to close out games against tough opponents.

The victory has real consequences for South Alabama's tournament resume, as it counts as a Quadrant 4 win. While not the most impressive victory, it still helps to bolster the Jaguars' overall record and provides a much-needed confidence boost. For Georgia State, the loss drops them to 9-14 on the season and deals a blow to their already slim tournament hopes. The Panthers' defeat is classified as a Quadrant 3 loss, which won't hurt their resume too severely but still leaves them with an uphill climb.

As the season enters its final stretch, South Alabama want to build on this win and continue to strengthen their tournament case. With a current net ranking of 190, the Jaguars still have work to do to secure a spot in the postseason. However, with performances like Harris' leading the way, they have the potential to make some noise in the coming weeks. For now, the Jaguars can celebrate a hard-earned victory over a tough opponent, and look to carry that momentum forward into their next game.