LORMAN, Miss. – Troymain Crosby posted a game-high 21 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome a big first half by Southern as the Jaguars held off the Alcorn State University men's basketball team, 75-59, Saturday in Southwestern Athletic Conference action inside Davey L. Whitney Complex.
Crosby tallied his 21 points in just 27 minutes, he also grabbed four rebounds and added both an assist and steal. Byron Joshua reached double-figures with 10 points, while Dekedran Thorn, playing in his first game of the season, added seven points. Oddyst Walker had a solid all-around game with six points and six rebounds.
Southern (4-6, 4-2 SWAC) quickly jumped out to a 15-4 lead through the first seven-plus minutes of the game. Alcorn (3-7, 3-2 SWAC) began to chip away with Anthony Fairley hitting a foul shot and a jumper by Crosby trimmed the deficit to eight.
After the Braves were able to get back to within eight a couple more times in the half, the Jaguars closed the half outscoring Alcorn by 11 to hold a 40-21 lead at the break.
Crosby and Tyree Corbett had Alcorn off to a strong start in the second half putting in the first four points before another burst by Southern, this one a 12-0 run, had the lead at 52-25.
Southern controlled play the rest of the way to secure the victory. Alcorn closed the game on a 10-0 run with points from Arne Morris, Walker and Thorn.
Alcorn went 22-71 (31) from the field, 1-13 (7.7) from three and 14-22 (63.6) from the foul line. The Braves held the edge on points off turnovers (21-7), second chance points (15-13), bench points (26-16) and points in the paint (38-22).
Southern had five players reach double-figures in scoring led by 19 from Jayden Saddler. Samkelo Cele came off the bench to add 16 points. The Jaguars shot well from the field making 26-51 (51), 9-23 (39.1) from three and 15-21 (71.4) at the foul line.
Alcorn will remain at home for the coming week hosting Jackson State on Saturday beginning at 3:30 p.m. and then will close the homestand on Monday against Grambling State at 7:30 p.m.
