Southern Uses Early Second Half Run to Top Alcorn 61-48

BATON ROUGE – Southern made five three-pointers early in the second half to leap in front and snag a 61-48 result from the Alcorn State University men's basketball program Saturday at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.
 
The Braves (7-15, 3-6 SWAC) trailed by 14 mid-way through the second half when they chipped into the deficit and got it down to five points, but the Jags (9-13, 5-4 SWAC) ended the game on an 8-0 run to hang on.
                                                                                   
Junior Dante Sterling netted a game-high 16 points and five rebounds. He was a perfect seven-of-seven from the free throw line, and his seven makes were a career-high.
 
Also in double-figures, sophomore Maurice Howard registered 13 points and four rebounds. He got the start after senior Avery Patterson was a scratch due to injury.
 
Sophomore Tyler Carter secured a career-high nine rebounds.
 
The Jags were paced by Jared Sam who recorded a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds.
 
Howard drained a trio of jumpers early to give the Braves an 8-2 edge. A step-back three-pointer by senior A.J. Mosby increased the lead to 13-6 at the 10:52 mark.
 
Alcorn went through a cold spell and the Jags were able to take advantage with an 11-2 run to snatch a 17-15 lead with 4:30 remaining.
 
A three-pointer by Howard put the Braves back ahead temporarily 20-19, but Southern ended the half strong and grabbed a 24-22 edge at the intermission.
 
A quick five points from sophomore Devon Brewer, including an old-fashion three-point play, had Alcorn on top 27-26 early in the second. A long-range shot by Howard capped an 8-0 run to put the Braves ahead 30-26 with 17:37 to go.
 
The Jags responded with three consecutive three-pointers as Alcorn called timeout down 35-30 with 15:16 left. Southern hit two more long-range shots and used a 14-2 spurt to jump in front 49-35 with 9:11 remaining.
 
 The Braves slowly chipped into the deficit and a fast-break jumper by Sterling made it a 51-45 game with 5:47 remaining. An and-one by Sterling trimmed it to 53-48 at the 2:50 mark.
 
Though, Alcorn couldn't get any closer as the Jags ended the game on an 8-0 run.
 
The Braves have Monday off from competition. They return to the floor next Saturday when they head to Jackson State for a 5:30 p.m. tip. Alcorn is in the midst of a three-game road swing.
 
NOTES
- Alcorn is now 4-2 against Southern under head coach Montez Robinson. The Braves won all three meetings last season and eliminated the Jags in the semifinals of the SWAC Championships.
 
- In his third season, Robinson hoists a 29-16 SWAC record.
 
- The Braves were 12-of-14 from the free throw line. The .857 percentage marked a season-high.
 
- Sterling notched his 12th double-figure scoring game and second in the last three contests. His five rebounds were one shy of a career-high.
 
- Howard etched his 17th career double-digit game, 18th this year and second in a row. He was 6-of-14 from the field.
 
- Alcorn committed just five turnovers in the game which was a season-best.
 
- The Braves wore grey uniforms for the first time this year.
 
- Alcorn continued to play without SWAC Preseason Player of the Year Reginal Johnson. He broke his leg at Tulane on Nov. 29 and has not played since.
 
Quoting Alcorn head coach Montez Robinson
Opening Statement
"It's really disappointing, especially when the game plan is there but the effort and discipline isn't. We played in spurts and didn't put a full game together. We had too many miscommunications, and a lot of the things we've been preaching over the last three years defensively wasn't there tonight. Southern beat us on the boards and had too many chances to get second looks. We didn't box out and we got outworked."
 
On Southern getting hot on the second half
"Southern knocked down shots but we have to do a better job defensively especially in the post. It seems like every game all of my players have two fouls in the first half and we're constantly rotating post players. Our guards battled, but we have to play defense without fouling. When Devon comes out of the game, it changes everything because even when he's not scoring he's a big body that demands attention from the opposition. It's frustrating and I thought we coming in that we had a great opportunity today."
 
On what changes need to be made
"We have to go back and regroup. We have to get our guys to be hungrier and play with more confidence. I like our ability and potential, but if we don't show up on game day then it goes out the window. We'll go back to the drawing board and learn from this. We'll watch the film and continue get better."
 
#FearTheBrave