JACKSON, Miss. | Daeshun Ruffin led four players in double figures in an 89-86 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory over Alcorn State in the conference opener for Jackson State at the Lee E. Williams AAC on Saturday night.

After Jackson State built a double-digit first-half lead, Alcorn State took its first lead in the second half with 2:39 (82-79) to play. The Braves held on to that lead until a three-point play from Ruffin with 1:05 to play gave the Tigers an 86-84 lead. Tamarion Hoover converted on another three-point play with 34.7 seconds to play to extend the lead to five, 89-84, and help the Tigers hold on for the win.

Ruffin finished with 31 points, the fifth consecutive game the senior has scored 20-plus points, and also added eight assists for Jackson State (2-12, 1-0 SWAC). He connected on 57.1 (8-of-14) percent from the floor, including three three-pointers, while also hitting 92.3 (12-of-13) percent from the free throw line. He was joined by a trio of players with 14 points including Dorian McMillian 14 points and five rebounds, while Jayme Mitchell Jr. and Devin Ree each added 14 points on the night for the Tigers.

Jackson State finished the night shooting a season-high 52.7 (29-of-55) percent from the floor and 37.0 (10-of-27) percent from beyond the arc, while also shooting 84.0 (21-of-25) percent from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Alcorn State finished the night shooting 46.8 (29-of-62) percent from the floor and 53.8 (14-of-26) percent from beyond the arc, while also shooting 58.3 (14-of-24) percent from the free throw line.

Davian Williams led three Alcorn State players with 20-plus points, finishing with 24 in the loss.

Inside the Numbers
Jackson State finished the first half shooting 55.9 (19-of-34) percent from the floor and 50.0 (10-of-20) percent from beyond the arc, while also connecting on all five of its free throws. Alcorn State shot 36.7 (11-of-30) percent from the floor in the opening half and 46.2 (6-of-13) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 60.0 (9-of-15) from the free throw line.

The Tigers shot 47.0 (10-of-21) percent from the floor in the second half and missed all seven of their three-pointers; however, they connected on 80.0 (16-of-20) from the free throw line in the final 20 minutes. Meanwhile, Alcorn State shot 56.3 (18-of-32) percent from the floor and 61.5 (8-of-13) percent from beyond the arc, while also shooting 55.6 (5-of-9) percent from the free throw line.

Jackson State assisted on 16 of its 29 baskets on the night, with Ruffin was responsible for 53 of the Tigers' points tonight.

The Tigers used a 10-0 run early to build a 17-point lead with 5:21 left to play in the firs half before taking a 53-37 lead at the break. Alcorn State came back in the second half to take its first lead in the second half with 2:39 to play.

Up Next
Jackson State returns to action next Saturday in conference play against Alabama State in Montgomery.

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