LAS VEGAS --The Jackson State men's hoops team held North Carolina A&T to just 17.6 percent from deep in a 3-for-17 shooting performance on the way to a 68-60 win over the Aggies at Michelob Ultra Arena on Sunday night in the Chris Paul HBCU Challenge presented by the AEA Foundation.
Jordan O'Neal, who had 24 points and seven rebounds, led the Tigers (4-7) for a second night, with three players scoring in double figures. Coltie Young tacked on 12 points, and Ken Evans chipped in 10 and two steals.
Zeke Cook's 13 boards helped Jackson State outrebounded the Aggies 40-33 in the game on Sunday, and the Tigers also grabbed 19 offensive rebounds and scored 13 second-chance points.
The Tigers forced 16 turnovers by the Aggies, and Jackson State turned those takeaways into 15 points on the offensive end of the floor. Jayme Mitchell led the way individually with two steals.
How It Happened
After falling behind 16-11, Jackson State went on a 6-0 run with 10:55 left in the first half to take a 17-16 lead. The Tigers then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 31-30.
After intermission, Jackson State gained control and had a 34-33 lead before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Young's 3-pointer, to grow the lead to 39-33 with 17:03 to go in the contest. The Tigers kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 68-60 win. Jackson State took care of business in the paint, recording 22 of its 38 points in the lane.
The game saw just one tie and eight lead changes throughout the contest.
Game Notes
- Jackson State had a stellar day defensively, holding the Aggies to 18 percent from beyond the arc on 17 attempts.
- Jackson State had a 40-33 edge on the boards in the win.
- The Jackson State defense forced 16 turnovers.
- Jackson State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 19 offensive boards in the game.
- O'Neal scored a season-high 24 points and made a season-high 11 field goals.
- Jackson State got a game-high 13 rebounds from Zeke Cook.
- O'Neal and Chase Young were named to the All-Tournament Team
Up Next
The Tigers will continue TheeTour as they travel to the greater northwest to Spokane, Wash., to face the #10/13 Gonzaga Bulldogs on Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. CST; the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and played at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
Season Tickets
Season tickets are now on sale to the public for the 2023–24 men's and women's basketball seasons. Tickets can be purchased online at www.gojsutigers.com/tickets, by phone at 601-979-0845, or in person at the Williams Athletics and Assembly Center Box Office on the JSU campus Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
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