The South Alabama Jaguars secured a 84-78 win over the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, with Jayden Cooper leading the charge with 34 points, including 17 points in the second half. South Alabama's strong performance was evident from the start, as they took a 42-36 lead into halftime. The Jaguars' 42 points in the first half were a reflection of their efficient offense, which shot 51.9% from the field. Tylik Weeks, Southern Mississippi's top performer, had 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Jaguars' balanced attack.
Jayden Cooper's 34-Point Performance Marks His 5th 30-Point Game of the Season
The game was closely contested throughout, with both teams trading baskets and playing tenacious defense. Southern Mississippi's Djahi Binet had a notable performance, scoring 15 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, but South Alabama's Chaze Harris countered with 26 points of his own. The Jaguars' ability to score consistently, with 42 points in both the first and second halves, was the difference-maker. At one point, South Alabama led by as many as 10 points, but Southern Mississippi fought back to within 4 points with 5:30 remaining. However, the Jaguars' free throw shooting, which went 12-15 (80%) in the second half, helped seal the 6-point victory. Southern Mississippi's 42 points in the second half were not enough to overcome their 36-point first half, as they fell short in their bid to upset the Jaguars.
Jayden Cooper's 34-point performance was the highlight of the game, as he shot 12-20 (60%) from the field and 4-7 (57.1%) from three-point range. Tylik Weeks, on the other hand, had a well-rounded game with 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, showcasing his ability to dominate the game in multiple facets. Chaze Harris chipped in with 26 points for South Alabama, while Djahi Binet's 15 points and 12 rebounds were a notable contribution for Southern Mississippi. Isaac Taveras added 11 points and 7 rebounds for the Golden Eagles, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Jaguars' potent offense, which scored 84 points on 49.1% shooting from the field.
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The key to South Alabama's victory was their ability to shoot 51.9% from the field, including 40% from three-point range. They also outrebounded Southern Mississippi 37-35, with Stephen Williams grabbing 6 rebounds for the Jaguars. Southern Mississippi, on the other hand, struggled with turnovers, committing 14 giveaways compared to South Alabama's 10. The Golden Eagles also shot just 41.9% from the field, including 25% from three-point range, which ultimately was their downfall. The Jaguars' 12-15 (80%) free throw shooting in the second half was also a crucial factor in their victory.
The CHD Scout prediction model correctly predicted a South Alabama victory, with a projected score of 74-70 and a 4-point margin. The actual score of 84-78 and 6-point margin were slightly higher than predicted, but the model was correct in identifying the Jaguars as the likely winners. The model's accuracy is a reflection of its ability to analyze team statistics and predict outcomes, with South Alabama's 18-7 record and 186 NET ranking proving to be too much for Southern Mississippi's 13-14 record and 234 NET ranking.
This game had real consequences for both teams' resumes, as it was a Quadrant 3 game for South Alabama and a Quadrant 4 game for Southern Mississippi. The victory improved South Alabama's record to 18-7, while Southern Mississippi fell to 13-14. The Jaguars' NET ranking of 186 will likely remain relatively stable, while the Golden Eagles' 234 NET ranking may drop slightly. The win was an important one for South Alabama, as it helped them maintain their position in the top 200 of the NET rankings. Southern Mississippi, on the other hand, want to bounce back from the loss and improve their resume in their remaining games.
South Alabama's next game is scheduled for February 15th against Louisiana, while Southern Mississippi will face off against Texas State on February 17th. Both teams want to build on their performances in this game, with South Alabama aiming to continue their winning ways and Southern Mississippi seeking to rebound from the loss.