SOUTHERN SEEKS ROAD WIN AT ALCORN STATE IN SWAC MATCHUP

LORMAN, Miss. (Interstat) — The Southern Jaguars will look to build on a recent win when they visit the struggling Alcorn State Braves in a Southwestern Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Saturday.

The matchup at the Davey Whitney Complex pits teams at different ends of the conference standings. Southern (8-12) enters after an 80-69 home victory over Mississippi Valley State on Wednesday. Alcorn State (3-16) seeks to end a two-game skid following an 82-73 loss at Bethune-Cookman on Monday.

Southern’s success has been fueled by forward DaMariee Jones, who is coming off a dominant double-double performance. Against Mississippi Valley State, Jones logged 36 minutes, scoring 13 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. In his last seven games, he has averaged 10.0 points and 5.1 rebounds, providing consistent interior presence for the Jaguars. He was complemented by guard Michael Jacobs’ 22 points and seven assists in the win.

The Jaguars have shown resilience in conference play, with a 5-3 SWAC record in their last eight league games following a difficult non-conference schedule that included road losses to power conference teams Illinois and Baylor.

Alcorn State, conversely, has found victories scarce. The Braves’ last win was a 76-75 home triumph over Prairie View on Jan. 19. Guard Shane Lancaster has been a bright spot, leading the team with 16 points in the loss to Bethune-Cookman. Over his last seven contests, Lancaster has averaged 11.1 points and 2.7 assists, though his scoring has been inconsistent.

The Braves’ defense will be tested by a Southern offense that has scored 77 points or more in four of its last five wins. Alcorn State has allowed 80 or more points in eight of its 16 losses this season.

Historically, games in this series are often closely contested. Both teams will continue a busy SWAC schedule next week, with Southern traveling to Jackson State on Monday and Alcorn State hosting Grambling.

Tip-off is set for Saturday afternoon at Alcorn State University’s Davey Whitney Complex.