The Hornets raised their 2024-2025 Men’s Basketball Championship banner before their game against Jackson State University. These two teams met in the SWAC Championship, with the Hornets securing the victory. The Tigers spoiled the Hornets’ banner-raising ceremony, handing them a 75-64 loss in this SWAC Championship rematch game.
The Tigers (3-12 overall, 2-0 SWAC) had three players in double digits during the game, led by Daeshun Ruffin, 36 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals, on 9-20 shooting and 18-19 from the free-throw line. Tamarion Hoover 16 points, 1 rebound, and Jayme Mitchell Jr 12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist. The Tigers shot 36% from the field and 26.3% from behind the arc, and were able to establish a 10-point lead at the end of the first half.
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The Hornets’ shooting struggles found themselves behind by as many as 13 points in the first half. The Hornets (4-12, 1-2 SWAC) were able to cut the Tigers’ lead to 3 points midway through the second half, behind Tyler Byrd, who led all Hornet scorers with 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals; Asjon Anderson with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal; and Damarien Yates logged a double-double, had 12 points, and 11 rebounds. The Hornets’ ice-cold shooting, 9% behind the arc, made it difficult for the Hornets to overcome the Tigers’ lead in the game.
The Hornets attempted to force Jackson State to use other ballhandlers than DaeShun Ruffin to slow down Jackson State’s offense. Ruffin refused to be denied, his ball-handling duties allowing him to continue controlling the pace of the game. The Hornets lost their second conference game of the season. This is the only meeting between these two teams until the SWAC Conference Championship tournament.
Both teams are back in action on Monday. Alabama State hosts Alcorn State University, and Jackson State visits Alabama A&M.