Jan. 24, 2006
Final Stats
Free throws, free throws, free throws. That is starting to
become the theme for the Southern University Jaguars. Southern went 5 for 5
at the free throw line in overtime, coupled with a 3-pointer by Deforrest Riley-Smith
and a jump shot by Peter Cipriano, while Alabama State mishandled its final
three possessions (two missed shots from the field and a turnover), to hold
on for a 72-68 win in overtime Monday night at the FG Clark Activity Center.
Chris Alexander scored 26 points, including three 3-pointers
to lead Southern University. Deforres Riley-Smith added 12 points for the Jaguars
(8-10, 7-1 SWAC) and Peter Cipriano and Ralph Hishaw each had 10. Cipriano also
had a career-high five blocked shots.
Akeim Claborn scored 23 points to lead Alabama State (4-14,
2-5 SWAC), while Dustin Richmond and Herbert Warren came off the bench to each
add 12.
In a game that looked in the first half like SU was going to
cruise, the second half was just the opposite for the Jags. Southern had a nine-point
advantage at halftime and took a 48-33 lead with 12:56 left in the second half
after a 3-pointer by Chris Alexander. Southern took a 31-22 lead into the half,
but led by thier bench players, Dustin Richamond and Herbert Warren, the Alabama
State Hornets rallied from 14 points down to take a 54-55 lead with 5:48 remaing
on a Richmond 3-pointer.
ASU took a 60-62 lead with 1:02 left, and after three straight
miscues by the Jags, ASU had a chance to seal the game with under 30 second
left. But the Jags defense forced a turnover, and Chris Alexander found the
lane to tie the game with nine seconds remaining. ASU had one last opportunity,
but took an ill-advised shot with seven seconds left and the Jags rebounded
the ball and forced the extra period.
Southern will return to action on Saturday, January 28 at 7:30
p.m. hosting the Braves of Alcorn State.
