Cameron Adams
\n<\/span>Sports Editor\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On Feb. 6, 2023, Jackson State University\u2019s Lady Tigers defeated the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions, 88-53, collecting their seventh consecutive win.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The matchup was nothing short of dominant, as Jackson State terrorized UAPB on both sides of the court.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Offensively, the Tigers put up a balanced scoring attack. Jackson State had five players to acquire double figures with 6\u20195 senior center Daphne White leading the team with 16 points.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

White also recorded 10 rebounds which tied for the team\u2019s high, with teammate Angel Jackson, a 6\u20196 forward from Richmond, Calif. Jackson was also a key contributor to the Tigers\u2019 offensive success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jackson put up 15 points for the night with most of them coming from second-chance opportunities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lady Tigers were just as locked on the defensive end.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Tigers finished the game with nine blocks as a team, with two of them coming at the end of the first quarter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jackson State entered the second quarter up by five, 15-9, but UAPB attempted to keep hope alive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

JSU entered the half with a comfortable lead, with the score being 36-18.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With time running out, UAPB began to attempt a late-game comeback as the two teams traded blows. However, Jackson\u2019s performance on the offensive glass spoiled their chances of a miracle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By the fourth quarter, the Tigers were able to acquire a 30-point lead, taming and tarnishing the Golden Lions, 88-53.<\/span><\/p>\n

The crowd wasn\u2019t the only ones pleased with the performance of the Lady Tigers. Head Coach Tomekia Reed emphasized her approval of the team\u2019s dominating victory.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI feel really good about this win,\u201d stated Reed. \u201cI’m proud of how hard our girls played, how together they played, and how resilient they were.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Reed then explained the importance of mental toughness in a game that can be dictated by game-changing factors.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The crowd also serves as a game-changing factor, due to their constant involvement in the game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kayln Turner, a senior social work major from McComb, Miss. reflected on the energy of the crowd.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe crowd constantly stays involved. Every time the ref calls a bad call, you\u2019re going to hear it from the crowd,\u201d stated Turner. \u201cThat affects the refs a lot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Alexis Cook, a senior biology\/pre-medicine major from New Orleans, La., also emphasized the crowd\u2019s ability to change the game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe energy of the crowd is very encouraging. If someone makes a shot, the whole crowd cheers,\u201d stated Cook. \u201cEven when players make mistakes, the crowd encourages them to keep trying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lady Tigers <\/span>had a huge performance from the bench in an 81-49 win against\u00a0Alcorn\u00a0State at home Feb. 18.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lady Tigers <\/span>protected the Lee E. Williams Athletics & Assembly Center home court again<\/span> on Feb. 27 in defeating Prairie View A&M University. The team claimed its fourth consecutive SWAC Regular Season Championship with this defeat.<\/span><\/p>\n

The team has two more regular season games against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on March 2 and Mississippi Valley State University on March 4.<\/span><\/p>\n

The SWAC Tournament begins March 8 in Birmingham, Ala.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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