JACKSON, Miss. -- Ken Evans Jr. scored a career-high 37 points to help lead the Jackson State men's basketball team over the University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff Golden Lions 89-84 at home on Thursday night.
Evans added six rebounds and two steals to his 37-point game to lead the Tigers (14-16, 10-7 SWAC). Jordan O'Neal helped out with eight points, nine rebounds, and two steals, and Zeke Cook chipped in with nine points, six rebounds, and two steals coming off the bench. In his first game back, Chase Adams added 10 points off the bench.
The Jackson State offense was very productive from downtown, making 11 threes on 29 attempts. Evans was the most prolific shooter for the Tigers, draining seven treys in the contest, which is a new career-high.
Jackson State forced 13 turnovers by the Golden Lions and turned those takeaways into 13 points on the other end of the floor. Cook's two steals led the way for the Tigers.
How It Happened
After falling behind 2-0, Jackson State went on a 9-0 run with 19:32 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Evans, to take a 9-2 lead. The Tigers then added nine points to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 56-40 advantage. Jackson State relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down eight shots to account for 24 of its 56 points.
Jackson State kept its lead intact before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Evans' three, to grow the lead to 63-46 with 15:45 to go in the contest. The Golden Lions narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Tigers still held on for the 89-84 win. Jackson State got out on the break in the period, scoring nine fast break points.
Game Notes
- Jackson State lit it up from three-point land, knocking down 11 treys in the game.
- Jackson State never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
- Evans was deadly from behind the three-point line, knocking down seven treys, a new career-high in made 3-pointers.
- The Jackson State bench came alive by scoring 28 points.
- Jackson State had a 41-30 edge on the boards in the win.
- The Jackson State defense forced 13 turnovers.
- Jackson State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 17 offensive boards in the game.
- Evans led the Tigers with a career-high 37 points, which is the third time he has scored 30 or more points.
- Jackson State got a game-high nine rebounds from O'Neal.
Up Next
The Tigers will close out the regular season on Saturday afternoon when they host Mississippi Valley State for senior day at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center. The game is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. start and can be seen live on HBCUGo.tv with 2023 NFF Chris Schenkel Award winner Charlie Neal and championship-winning coach Cy Alexander on the call.
Follow Jackson State Athletics
For complete coverage of Jackson State athletics, follow the Tigers on social media at @GoJSUTigers (Instagram and Twitter) and Jackson State Tigers (Facebook), or visit the official home of Jackson State athletics at GoJSUTigers.com.
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