South Alabama's Chaze Harris stole the show at Fant-Ewing Coliseum, scoring 38 points to lead his team to a 96-92 win over Louisiana-Monroe. Harris' impressive performance, which included 5 rebounds and 8 assists, was the difference-maker in a game that saw both teams combine for 188 points. Louisiana-Monroe's Krystian Lewis put up a valiant effort, scoring 29 points and grabbing 9 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Jaguars' high-powered offense.
The game got off to a fast start, with Louisiana-Monroe taking a 45-27 lead into halftime. However, South Alabama came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Warhawks 44-26 to take a 71-71 tie into overtime. The Jaguars carried their momentum into the extra period, outscoring Louisiana-Monroe 13-8 in the first overtime and 12-8 in the second to secure the win. Jayden Cooper and Adam Olsen chipped in with 20 points each for South Alabama, while Lavell Brodnex added 22 points and 12 rebounds for Louisiana-Monroe, and MJ Russell contributed 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Harris' 38 points were a reflection of his ability to take over a game, and his 8 assists showed that he was also able to get his teammates involved. Lewis, on the other hand, was a force to be reckoned with in the paint, using his size and strength to score effectively and grab rebounds. The two players put on a show, trading baskets and making big plays throughout the game.
The win improves South Alabama's record to 14-6, while Louisiana-Monroe falls to 3-18. While the loss won't hurt Louisiana-Monroe's tournament chances, as they were not expected to be a factor in the postseason, it does give South Alabama a quality win, albeit against a Quad 4 opponent. The Jaguars' net ranking of 200 will likely remain steady, but the win will help to bolster their resume.
For South Alabama, this win is a positive step forward, even if it wasn't against a highly-ranked opponent. The Jaguars showed that they can overcome a tough first half and come out strong in the second half, which will be important as they head into the meat of their conference schedule. With Harris leading the way, South Alabama has the potential to make some noise in the postseason, and this win will be an important part of their tournament resume. As the season wears on, the Jaguars want to build on this performance and make a push for a tournament berth.