Jacskson, Ms – Alcorn State started the game off with a layup to get onto the scoreboard first in this SWAC season opener that had everyone watching these two instate rival HBCU programs start their in conference play.
The Alcorn State Braves showed they could score against Jackson State in the paint letting the Tigers know this would be a tough match-up today.
Jackson State showed they were up for the challenge scoring points in the paint, forcing Alcorn State fouling JSU players putting them on the free throw line.
Jackson State was able to secure a 5-point lead at the half and continued to build that lead in the second half scoring in the open court off fast break points and continuing to score in the paint.
Things seemed to derail somewhat for the Braves basketball team because the mental edge they had earlier in the game was briefly lost. The Braves players felt they weren’t getting calls on the court causing a few of the Braves players to make errant mistakes that allowed Jackson State to increase and hold onto their lead.
Jackson State was able to secure the win in this game taking advantage of the Braves miscues. Some of those miscues in the game was Alcorn State not crashing the offensive and defensive boards for small periods allowing Jackson State to increase to 14 points with 6 minutes left in the second half. Alcorn State’s leading scorer in the game was Jeremiah Kendall with 17 points, and 10 rebounds followed by Djahi Binet with 15, 6 rebounds, Jeremiah Gambrell with 11, 3 rebounds, and Stephen Byard with 10.
Jackson State was able to win their first SWAC game of the season 88-80. The Jackson State Tigers had 4 players in double figures Coltie Young, lead the way with 26 points 3 assists, and 4 rebounds, Jordon O’Neal 19 points, Ken Evans Jr 15 points 4 assists, and 8 rebounds, and Chase Adames 14 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds.
Jackson State will play Alabama State next and Alcorn State plays Alabama A&M.