Demonte Rule
MC Practicum Student
The Jackson State University Men’s Basketball Team bounced back from its loss to Tougaloo to defeat Delta State University 58-53 in an exhibition game on Nov. 8 at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.
Derell Taylor had a game high 18 points along with 4 rebounds in 26 minutes of action to help lead the Tigers to victory. Junior forward Kaven Bernard recorded 13 points and 6 rebounds to contribute to the victory. Bernard, a transfer student from Pearl River Community College also had 4 steals.
At half time, JSU lead Delta State 31-21. JSU shot 48 percent from field (12/25) and Delta State shot 46.2 percent from field (6/13). In the second half, JSU’s shooting cooled down with 36.8 percent from field (7/19) and Delta State slightly heated up with 43.5 percent from field (10/23).
Devin Scmidt recorded a double-double for Delta State. He finished with a game high 13 points and also 11 rebounds. PJ Davis recorded 11 points and 8 rebounds for Delta State.
“We came into this game and we said that we wanted to play better on the defensive end, than how we did in the Tougaloo game and we wanted to share the ball on the offensive end. We trusted each other. I thought that we had guys trying to help each other, fighting through screens, diving on the floor and boxing out,” said JSU Head Basketball Coach Wayne Brent.
Coach Brent stated that this win was very important for his team.
“At the end of the day, we needed to get a win because we lost that first exhibition game. I don’t think that you can give guys confidence by losing. Regardless of how you wi , when you win you can get guys use to winning. We’re trying to get use to winning,” said Coach Brent.
JSU opens its regular season on Friday, Nov. 14 when the Tigers travel to Raleigh, N.C. to take on North Carolina State. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
