Today kicks off an exciting day of hoops in the Southwestern Athletic Conference with five games scheduled.
Starting At 4 P.M. the two schools in Alabama will leave their homes and take part in tough road conference games. The Alabama A&M Bulldogs (1-4, 3-11 SWAC) travel to the Clark Center in Baton Rouge to take on the Southern University Jaguars (8-11, 4-2 SWAC). On January 14 the Bulldogs blew a 26-19 halftime lead and fell short to the Alabama State Hornets (7-10, 4-1 SWAC) with a final score of 50-53. The conference leaders, Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (6-11, 5-0) dismantled the Jaguars on January 16 in a 77-56 one-sided victory. G/F Casey Cantey, who averages 14.5 ppg for the Bulldogs, is looking to put his 5 point outing against the Hornets behind him. Guard Derrick Beltran scores 11.8 ppg for the Jaguars, but in the last three games has been averaging 15 a game and shooting 51 percent from the floor.
Also at 4:30 P.M., the Alabama State Hornets will visit the Alcorn State Braves (4-12, 1-3 SWAC) in the David L. Whitney Gymnasium in Lorman, MS. On January 7th the Braves had hopes of turning things around in the SWAC, but rising star Quincy Roberts scored 26 points for Grambling St. as they edged out the Braves 72-71. The Alcorn State Braves are on a three game losing streak and at the bottom of the conference. Alabama State did fall short 67-60 to the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils after leading 34-31 at the half. Since then they’ve won two straight and are looking to keep the streak going.
The stars for each team to watch in this game: G/F Kenderek Washington, who is averaging 14.1 ppg for the Hornets, and G Twann Okaley for the Braves who has averaged 15 points a contest in the three game slip.
At 4:30 p.m, the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions(2-16, 1-4 SWAC) Arkansas-Pine Bluff heads to Texas to battle the Texas Southern University Tigers (5-12, 4-1 SWAC) in the Health & PE Center, where they are currently undefeated this season. On January 16th, Jackson State ruined Texas Southern’s aspirations of sweeping the conference in a 54-51 victory. Prior to the loss to Jackson State the Tigers were 4-0 in conference play, winning their first three games by a margin of 34 points. The game against the Golden- Lions will be a chance to see how the Tigers will respond after their first conference loss.
While TSU is trying to erase last games memories, UAPB is looking to replicate the results of their last outing. UAPB defeated Alcron State 75-68 on January 16 for their second win of the season and first conference win. The win against the Braves ended Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s 14 game losing streak.
Keys to victory for the Golden Lions will be to limit the turnovers. Look for UAPB’ Savalace Townsend to finish with big numbers. He’s their leading scorer averaging 17.8 ppg.
TSU thrive off fast break points. The Tigers like to run the break for transition 3-pointers and easy baskets. Texas Southern G No.5 Omar Strong and G No.11 Lawrence Johnson- Danner are liable to strike fire from behind the arch at anytime.
At 5:30 Prairie View A&M Panthers (7-11, 3-2 SWAC) will host the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (6-11- 5-0) at the William Nicks Center in Prairie View, Tx. The PVAMU Panthers are currently riding a two-game winning streak, while the Delta Devils have won five in a row. The defense of the Delta Devils has been exceptional, as they haven’t allowed any team in the conference to score 70 or more points. MVSU has the best guard/center duo in the league. G Terrence Joyner (13.9 points) and C Paul Crosby (13.4 points) are both in the SWAC’s top ten for scoring. G Louis Munks for the Panthers has been on a scoring tear. He only averages 7.9 ppg, but in the last three games he’s totaled 60 points.
At 7 P.M., hoop action in the SWAC is concluded with arguably the best two scores in the conference going head to head. G No.1 Jenirro Bush will lead the way for the Jackson State Tigers (4-14, 2-4 SWAC) as they take on Quincy Roberts and the Grambling State University (2-14, 2-4).
Bush and his 23 points aided JSU’s upset over Texas Southern, which gave them their first conference lost. For Grambling, Roberts has been on a scoring tear since arriving from the Big East and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Last game in an 81-64 loss, Roberts totaled a career high of 34 points. These two Tiger teams have been inconsistent in conference play, but no matter the outcome of this game expect to see nice offensive play from Roberts and Bush.
