Nekeisha Walker – Blue & White Flash / Staff Writer and
JSU Athletic Media Realtions
With all the anxiety of their national television debut on ESPNU, Jackson State Men’s Basketball team falls short to Prairie View A&M Panthers on Monday night.
“Although the Panther was ranked #1 in the SWAC Conference for the pre-season, we still felt as though they had a great chance to beat the Panthers,” said Coach Eric Strothers, the men assistance basketball coach.
The Tigers came out playing hard and ready to obtain a much needed win. The Tigers went into half time leading the Panthers 31-30.
Strothers said, “We always start the first half off well it’s the second half that we struggle with.”
After being outscored 42-27 in the second half, the Tigers fall short 73-59 leaving a 1-14,0-6 record.
“In order to win games we must have at least three people scoring in double digits and we must find that chemistry on the court,” said Strothers. “ We have the guys who can put up the big numbers but the ball is just not currently playing in their favor just yet.”
Saturday, Jan. 18 in Grambling, La. the Tigers took on Grambling State. The Jackson State Men’s basketball team defeated the Grambling State Tigers 57-46 in Southwestern Athletic Conference action Saturday at the Fredrick C. Hobdy AAC.
With the win JSU improves to 2-14, 1-6 record. Grambling falls to a 0-16, 0-7 on the season.
Kelsey Howard led all scorers with 21 points on 8-18 shooting from the field. Christian Williams followed with 12 points on 4-11 shooting. Sydney Coleman added nine points and six rebounds. Derrell Taylor led JSU in rebounding with seven.
Steven Dandridge led GSU with 11 points, while Terry Rose and Peter Roberson each added 10 points.
JSU trailed 26-24 at halftime. The Tigers outscored Grambling 33-20 in the second half.
Jackson State will return to action Saturday, Jan. 26 when the Tigers take on Mississippi Valley State in a SWAC men and women double-header. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM.
