Southern Jaguars Defeat Jackson State Tigers 96-91 in SWAC Showdown

In a thrilling NCAA basketball clash, the Southern Jaguars narrowly defeated the Jackson State Tigers 96-91, maintaining their strong season momentum and extending their win streak. The game, marked by high-octane scoring and multiple lead changes, showcased Southern’s depth and strategic execution.

Southern jumped out early, winning the opening tip and immediately establishing control. Fazl Oshodi’s hot shooting set the tone, as he scored 15 points in the first half alone, including four three-pointers assisted by Michael Jacobs. The Jaguars’ backcourt duo, Jacobs and Terrance Dixon Jr., combined for 18 points in the first half, while AJ Barnes contributed defensively with multiple blocks and key rebounds. Southern’s early aggression gave them a 48-37 lead by halftime, with win probability models indicating their control at over 90 percent midway through the first half.

Jackson State, however, kept the game competitive behind Daeshun Ruffin and Devin Ree. Ruffin led the Tigers with 21 points and five assists, while Ree added 17 points, including four three-pointers. Despite Southern’s early dominance, Jackson State capitalized on offensive rebounds and free throw conversions to gradually close the gap, bringing the score within five points in the second half.

The Jaguars’ bench proved critical, with DaMariee Jones scoring 12 points and Malek Abdelgowad contributing 10 points, including a key tip-in late in the second half. Southern’s depth allowed them to maintain a balanced attack and manage the game tempo, preventing Jackson State from sustaining momentum despite a late rally.

This victory improves Southern’s record to 17-8 overall and 9-2 in conference play, solidifying their status as one of the top contenders in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Historically, Southern has leveraged strong interior play and sharpshooting to dominate home games, and this win reflects a continuation of that trend. The Tigers drop to 14-11, 6-5 in conference, highlighting areas for defensive improvement and ball security.

Looking ahead, Southern faces a crucial road matchup against Prairie View A&M, a team known for aggressive perimeter defense. The Jaguars will rely on the consistent scoring of Oshodi and Jacobs, as well as continued bench contributions, to maintain their conference lead. Jackson State will focus on limiting turnovers and improving three-point efficiency to rebound in upcoming games against Alabama A&M and Grambling State.

This game emphasizes what is at stake for both teams in the race for the conference championship. Southern’s ability to convert early leads into victories, while effectively integrating bench scoring, may be decisive for their postseason positioning.

Meanwhile, Jackson State’s resilience under pressure indicates potential for late-season upsets if defensive adjustments are implemented.