Photo: Monica McGhee
Cameron Adams
Sports Editor
The Jackson State University Men’s Tigers basketball remain undefeated at home in the Lee E. Williams Athletics & Assembly Center, following back-to-back victories against Bethune-Cookman University and Florida A&M University.
On Jan. 21, the Tigers defeated Bethune-Cookman, 70-66, in an all-out defensive showcase. The Tigers tamed the Wildcats, holding them to just 36.4 percent from beyond the arc.
The Tigers also excelled offensively, with four members putting up double figure performances for their home crowd. JSU also put up eight 3-pointers for the night.
Ken Evans Jr., a 6’ 5 sophomore guard, led the team with an efficient scoring performance racking up 18 points, while shooting 50 percent from the field. Chase Adams, a 5 ‘8 junior point-guard, also contributed in the offensive attack putting up 13 points and five assists.
The two teams would go back and forth throughout the game, but Jackson State was able to pull away from the Wildcats, taking home the victory.
Despite the Tigers winning the game, Head Coach Mo Williams believed that the team could’ve done better to secure the victory.
“Obviously, I thought that we could’ve been better for our fans tonight. I apologize to our fans for that. I promise you we’ll clean it up on Monday,” stated Williams.
Tigers fans can confirm that this promise was definitely kept in the match-up against FAMU in a nail biting contest that went down to the final seconds of the game.
The matchup also highlighted the Tiger’s persistent defense, as they collected five blocks throughout the game.
Zeke Cook, 6’ 6 sophomore guard, was the story of the night. Cook put up 17 points and 10 rebounds in his performance. He was also the main catalyst for their defensive efforts, recording three of the Tiger’s five blocks.
The game was a back and forth effort in both halves. Both teams refused to let up, causing physical defense and tough baskets on the offensive end.
The game determining factor went down to a foul committed by Florida A&M against Cook, which sent him to the foul line. Cook was able to knock down the go-ahead shot with eight seconds remaining, allowing the Tigers to win the game, 59-58.
Jackson State was able to pull through despite the nervousness of the crowd during the late game situation. A key factor to their win was the crowd’s active participation throughout the game.
Britney Taplin, a junior marketing major from Byram, Ms., believed the crowd greatly influenced the win.
“The crowd was constantly supporting the team, no matter what the situation was. From foul calls, to traveling violations, the crowd was locked in and fully supportive,” Taplin recalled.
Coach Williams, despite the victory, is focused on putting the victory in their rearview mirror. “It’s a win. We’re 5-2 right now and that’s the most important thing.”
Lady Tigers Take Down Opponents in Back-to-Back Home Game Showings
Nevaeh Bray
Staff Writer
The 3-time Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champions Lady Tigers put up dominant home game performances for Tiger fans.
On Jan. 21, 2023, the Tigers took on Bethune Cookman in a blowout victory, putting up 82 points to the Wildcat’s 60.
The Tigers’ relentless defense caused them to completely disrupt their opponent’s offensive performance holding Bethune-Cookman to 36.2 percent from the field and 30 percent from the 3-point area.
The Lady Tigers also remained determined to crash the glass, racking up 38 total rebounds. Daphane White, a 6 ‘5 senior center from Gulfport, Miss., and Angel Jackson, a 6 ‘6 forward from Richmond, Calif., both put up career highs of ten rebounds during their performances.
The Lady Tigers were on fire from the field, as five players scored in double figures to secure the victory.
Ti’lan Boler, the 5 ’11 sophomore guard from Meridian, Miss., led the Lady Tiger offense, putting up 20 points. Jackson put up a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Daja Woodard, a 6 ‘3 senior forward, also helped out in the win, scoring 13 points off the bench.
The Tigers would carry this momentum to their matchup against Florida A&M, this past Monday.
On Jan. 23, 2023, head coach Tomekia Reed and the Lady Tigers took care of business once again in a dominant fashion against the Rattlers.
The Lady Tigers’ patented defense was on display yet again, as they kept their opponent under 20 points during the first two quarters.
The balanced scoring effort of the Tigers allowed them to cruise by FAMU, ending the matchup 72-51.
Jariyah Convington, a graduate student from Starkville, Miss., was a vital component in this win leading the team with 18 points, shooting 7-11 from the field.
Boler continued her streak of dominance leading her team with 12 rebounds and 17 points.
White, also recorded a double-double of her own, scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds. This marks White’s third consecutive double-double this season.
Although the team’s performance played a major part in their success, fans of Jackson State deserve some credit as well. The AAC was filled with students, parents, and alumni who wanted to support the men’s and women’s basketball teams.
Trinity Jones, a sophomore biology major and Jackson State volleyball player from Dallas, Texas is an avid supporter of the Jackson State women’s basketball team and continuously shows up to their games.
“I enjoy coming to the basketball games,” Jones stated, “It is easy to want to stay inside and watch from online, but I believe showing up in person to support means more to the team.”
Jackson State Athletic Academic Advisor Terry Bracken was extremely pleased with the performance of the Lady Tigers and believes that they have a chance to win it all again.
“I believe the range of talent on the women’s team is deep and you can see that throughout the course of the game,” Bracken stated. “It doesn’t matter who they have on the court, they always seem to get the job done.”
Bracken added, “There is no doubt that this team has what it takes to secure their fourth consecutive SWAC championship ring,” Bracken said, “As long as they keep doing what they’re doing and leaving it all out on the court I know it will be another successful season.”
The dominant win against Florida A&M puts the Lady Tigers 6-1 overall in the SWAC conference.
Jackson State looks to continue their run through the SWAC against Grambling State on Jan. 28, 2023 at the Frederick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
