Birmingham Bound.
The Jackson State University men's basketball team defeated Mississippi Valley State 76-69 on Saturday in the Williams Athletics and Assembly Center and clinched a spot in the Cricket SWAC Basketball Tournament.
JSU (11-18 overall, 9-9 in SWAC) completed the impressive turnaround, going 7-2 in the second half of the conference schedule, to punch its postseason ticket to Birmingham.
The Tigers' will be the #7 seed and will face #2Â Texas Southern Wednesday at 2 p.m..
"At 2-7, everyone was on our back, and you don't know if guys have bought in," said JSU head coach Wayne Brent. "It's a testament to our assistant coaches. We've been together as a staff for nine years with Cason Burk, De'Sean Dixon, and Christopher Woodall. They did a great job when we had our backs against the wall. Our kids have really gone through a lot from the injuries, to being 0-3, to being 2-7, and to look up tonight and we are 9-9 and will be in the tournament is a testament to everyone."
Jonas James III led four Tigers in double figures with 16 points and added four assists. Jayveous McKinnis posted his fourth straight double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Dyllan Taylor scored 13 points and added four assists, and Ken Evans Jr. scored 10 for Jackson State.
Trailing 39-36 late in the first half, JSU scored the final five points to take the lead for good. Evans drilled a three-pointer to tie the score and then made a jumper 30 seconds later as the Tigers took a 41-39 lead at the half.
After Valley made eight three-pointers in the first half, the Jackson State defense limited MVSU to only three of 10 shooting beyond the arch after halftime. That effort allowed the Tigers to eventually take their largest lead of the game at 56-43 on a James' three-pointer with 14:34 remaining. Â
Valley chipped away, cutting its deficit to 71-69 with just over two minutes to play, before Jackson State sealed the win on a three straight points by Lewis and a pair of free throws by Dyllan Taylor for the final margin.
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