JACKSON – Jackson State shot 60 percent from the field and rolled to a 66-47 win over Alabama A&M Thursday evening in an important Southwestern Athletic Conference tilt.
 
The Tigers improved to 12-18 and 9-9 in the SWAC, while AAMU falls to 5-26 and 4-13 in the conference. JSU improved its chance to finish in the top four and host a first round SWAC tournament game. If JSU defeats ASU by three points or more it will hold the tiebreaker over ASU. JSU holds the tiebreakers over UAPB and Grambling due to sweeping each regular-season series.
 
The Blue and White controlled the match-up from the opening tip to the final whistle and led the entire game.
 
Junior Venjie Wallis scored a game-high 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field. The 6-foot-7 guard also grabbed six rebounds and converted 5-of-6 attempts at the free-throw line.
 
Chris Howell added 16 points, grabbed five boards and went 6-of-9 at the charity stripe.
 
Freshman Jayveous McKinnis dropped 11 points and hauled in three rebounds.
 
Lemmie Howard scored nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc.
 
JSU won the game with a dominating effort in front of the basket. The Tigers out-rebounded the Bulldogs 31-23 and scored 30 points in the paint.
 
The Tigers return to the hardwood Saturday and host Alabama State for a 5:30 p.m. start. The 2019 Senior Class will be honored.