Cameron Adams
Sports Editor
The 2021-22 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champions look to claim the title once again as they continue to run through teams throughout the conference.
On Feb. 6, 2023, Jackson State University’s Lady Tigers defeated the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions, 88-53, collecting their seventh consecutive win.
The matchup was nothing short of dominant, as Jackson State terrorized UAPB on both sides of the court.
Offensively, the Tigers put up a balanced scoring attack. Jackson State had five players to acquire double figures with 6’5 senior center Daphne White leading the team with 16 points.
The Gulfport, Miss. native was a force to be reckoned with. White was also the leader in field goal percentage, making seven shots out of her eight attempts.
White also recorded 10 rebounds which tied for the team’s high, with teammate Angel Jackson, a 6’6 forward from Richmond, Calif. Jackson was also a key contributor to the Tigers’ offensive success.
Jackson put up 15 points for the night with most of them coming from second-chance opportunities.
The Lady Tigers were just as locked on the defensive end.
JSU forced the Golden Lions to take tough shots forcing them to under 33 percent from the field. Their defensive presence also caused 13 turnovers.
The Tigers finished the game with nine blocks as a team, with two of them coming at the end of the first quarter.
The Tigers asserted their dominance early in the game. After trading the first few baskets, JSU would eventually go on a run to secure a lead.
Jackson State entered the second quarter up by five, 15-9, but UAPB attempted to keep hope alive.
The Golden Lions were able to go on a huge run to trail within two points. The Tigers responded immediately by increasing their defensive pressure and knocking down big threes.
JSU entered the half with a comfortable lead, with the score being 36-18.
In the third quarter, the Tigers remained aggressive, as if they never walked off the court. Each member was determined to get the foul to knock down some free points.
With time running out, UAPB began to attempt a late-game comeback as the two teams traded blows. However, Jackson’s performance on the offensive glass spoiled their chances of a miracle.
By the fourth quarter, the Tigers were able to acquire a 30-point lead, taming and tarnishing the Golden Lions, 88-53.
The crowd wasn’t the only ones pleased with the performance of the Lady Tigers. Head Coach Tomekia Reed emphasized her approval of the team’s dominating victory.
“I feel really good about this win,” stated Reed. “I’m proud of how hard our girls played, how together they played, and how resilient they were.”
Reed then explained the importance of mental toughness in a game that can be dictated by game-changing factors.
“We have tough practices. We prepare for tough moments. We prepare our players to be physically tough and mentally tough. If I keep my composure, [my team] is going to.”
The crowd also serves as a game-changing factor, due to their constant involvement in the game.
Kayln Turner, a senior social work major from McComb, Miss. reflected on the energy of the crowd.
“The crowd constantly stays involved. Every time the ref calls a bad call, you’re going to hear it from the crowd,” stated Turner. “That affects the refs a lot.”
Alexis Cook, a senior biology/pre-medicine major from New Orleans, La., also emphasized the crowd’s ability to change the game.
“The energy of the crowd is very encouraging. If someone makes a shot, the whole crowd cheers,” stated Cook. “Even when players make mistakes, the crowd encourages them to keep trying.”
The Lady Tigers had a huge performance from the bench in an 81-49 win against Alcorn State at home Feb. 18.
The Lady Tigers protected the Lee E. Williams Athletics & Assembly Center home court again on Feb. 27 in defeating Prairie View A&M University. The team claimed its fourth consecutive SWAC Regular Season Championship with this defeat.
The team has two more regular season games against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on March 2 and Mississippi Valley State University on March 4.
The SWAC Tournament begins March 8 in Birmingham, Ala.
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