MBB: SUBR vs. ALST
SWAC.org
Southern 83, Alabama State 63
Box Score
HOUSTON, Texas – Southern downed Alabama State 83-63 during the quarterfinals of the SWAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Thursday Night at the Toyota Center.
With the victory, Southern advances to the semifinals to play defending champion Texas Southern on Friday at 8:30 p.m. in a rematch of last year's tournament final.
Southern opened up a double-digit lead near the midpoint of the first half, using a 15-3 run to go up 23-8 over the Hornets. During the run, the Hornets were off-target on 15 of its first 18 shots while falling behind.
Behind the efforts of Adrian Rodgers – who put up 12 points and eight boards in the half – the Jaguars ultimately grew their lead to as many as 19 during the opening stanza. The Jaguars took a 40-26 lead into the locker room, as Alabama State missed the same amount of shots (29) that Southern took over the duration of the half.
Southern opened the second half on a 8-0 run to push its lead to 22, and the Hornets were unable to overcome the deficit, getting no closer than 14.
Rodgers ended the night with a game-high 22 points. Jared Sam and Trelun Banks each added 13 points. For Alabama State, Jamel Waters was the high man with 20 points, nine assists and five rebounds. Tony Armstrong chipped in 13 points and six rebounds.