LAS VEGAS -- After losing two consecutive games for the first time this season, Southern got 18 points from Adrian Rodgers, who led four Jaguars in double figures, in route to a 68-63 win over North Carolina Central Monday afternoon in the Global Sports Classic.

The 5-point win propels Southern (8-4) into the final of the Visitor's bracket of the Las Vegas tournament against Nebraska-Omaha, who defeated Eastern Illinois  80-68 in the tournament opener played at the Cox Pavilion.

For the fifth time this season, Rodgers, an USC-Upstate transfer and Atlanta native, led Southern in scoring shooting 5 for 13 from the field with three 3-pointers. Rodgers also tied teammate Jared Sam for the team lead in rebounds with nine. Sam added 15 points, Shawn Prudhomme had 12 and Trelun Banks netted 10 for Southern.  

Trailing 14-12 in the first half, Southern seized control of the game with a 15-7 run over the final 7:31 to take a 27-21 halftime lead. A pair of Christopher Hyder free throw's gave Southern a 9-point lead with 16:47 left. NCCU (3-8) would respond cutting the Jaguars lead to four on three separate occasion but each time Southern managed to keep the Eagles at bay.

After Kyle Benton's layup trimmed the Jaguars lead to 57-53, Southern finished 9 of 11 from the free throw line over the final 2:22. A late NCCU 3-pointer at the final horn produced the game's final margin.

Three Eagles scored in double figures led by Patrick Cole and Jeremiah Ingram who each finished with 16 points.

Following Tuesday's tournament final, Southern will break for the Christmas Holiday before starting preparations for the SWAC opener against Texas Southern in Houston Jan. 2.