March 7, 2007
Final Stats
Birmingham, Ala. -- Second seeded Jackson
State became the first men's team to advance in the 2007 Southwestern
Athletic Conference tournament as they handed the Jaguars of Southern University
a 74-65 loss, eliminating them from the tournament.
The Tigers opened the game with a 10-2 lead at the 16:47mark,
with Southern fighting back and pulling within three at 14-11 (12:45). However,
the first half would belong to freshman Grant Maxey as his 15 points pushed
the Tigers into the break with a 38-29 lead.
The second half would prove to mimic the first as the Tigers
maintained complete control and led by as much as 60-46 with 7:55 remaining
in the game. Southern continued to show fight throughout the game, but it would
be a case of too little, to late as the Tigers held off a resilient Jaguars
team to advance to conference tournament semi-finals.
The Jaguars were led by Chris Davis and Douglas Scott. Davis
finished with 20 points, three steals and two rebounds, while Scott added 10
points, three rebounds and three assists.
For the Tigers Maxey finished with 22 points and nine rebounds.
Trey Johnson had 16 points, four assists and three rebounds. Catraiva Givens
and Julius Young both scored in double figures as they turned in 15 and 10 points
respectively.
-SWAC-
Quotes from Southern University head coach, Rob Spivery:
· "I didn't think we had very much today. You have those days
when you think you're ready to play but your legs aren't moving
the way you want them to move and your brain is not clicking the way you would
like it to click...Today was one of those days for us."
· "I thought we had ample opportunities throughout the ball game,
but mistakes on offense and not making good decisions with the basketball really
cost us today."
· "We talked about how we needed to play. There was no pressure
on us, but we played as if we were under pressure."
· "Givens made some baskets he doesn't normally make and Maxey
had 22 points. Trey Johnson didn't have one of his big games but the others
did."
Quotes from Jackson State head coach, Tevester Anderson:
· "I'm really proud of these guys; they did a great job out
there today. They really played well as a team."
· "I think we came out and set the tone the first five minutes as
how the game would be played, our defense played really good and we had good
shot selection."
· "Our guys came out with a lot of fire and dedication; they should
a lot of heart and determination."
· "Maxey is beginning to play outstanding basketball. I told Givens
I wanted him to be the floor general and control the game."
· "Our defensive effort was outstanding. We forced 25 turnovers."
