Jags fall to former SBC rival MTSU 68-67 on Saturday
On Saturday afternoon, the South Alabama Men’s Basketball team lost and overtime heartbreaker to Middle Tennessee State at the Mitchell Center, 68-67.
The Jags (2-4) trailed by 10 points in the first half and rallied back to tie the game late. They had a chance at winning the game in regulation but a long 3-point try missed its mark and bounced off the back of the rim.
In overtime the Blue Raiders broke a 64-64 tie with a layup by Jacquez Rozier with 42 seconds to play in the first overtime period. They then extended their lead with a pair of Jaquan Raymond free throws with 13.2 seconds left to give them a four point lead.
Taishuan Johnson nailed a long 3-pointer with seven seconds left in the overtime period and was fouled in the process. The free throw, if made, would have tied the game however his shot missed the mark.
Abdul Lewis led the team with 17 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double. Barrington Stevens III added 14 points and five rebounds. Ken Williams and Johnson added 10 points each.
MTSU was led by Rozier with 12 points.
“I thought it was an outstanding game,” said South Alabama head coach Matthew Graves. “I wish more people could have had a chance to see it. We obviously came out on the wrong end of that, but I really felt like for a complete game that’s as well as we have played this year, and that’s a good sign. I didn’t feel like after Tuesday’s game with Spring Hill we were trending in the right direction.”
“I thought a few guys actually grew up a little bit,” Graves continued. “I thought we were with them each and every possession and that’s something certainly that we can continue to build on. Our schedule doesn’t get any easier.”
Unfortunately the game was scheduled on Championship Saturday in a college football region. The Jags will have some time off for finals before hitting the court again at Pepperdine on December 15.