HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Jackson State showed early fight, battled through multiple momentum swings and continued to push until the final minutes, but Southern Miss used a strong second-quarter run to create separation and secure a 73-60 victory over the Tigers Thursday night at Reed Green Coliseum.
Southern Miss opened the contest with a 7-0 run before Jackson State began finding its rhythm offensively. Madison Eddings got the Tigers on the scoreboard with a basket inside, and Ne'vaeh Buntley followed with a pair of baskets to help spark the Jackson State offense. Taler Thornton and Justine Tchehchoua also contributed as the Tigers worked their way back into the contest.
Jackson State eventually took its first lead at 17-16 following a Buntley basket with 51 seconds remaining in the opening quarter. Southern Miss answered with a late bucket to take an 18-17 advantage into the second period.
The Tigers continued their momentum early in the second quarter. Camryn O'Neil and Buntley scored consecutive baskets to even the contest at 21-21. However, Southern Miss responded with a perimeter shooting surge, knocking down four three-pointers in the period to regain control. Despite Buntley's continued offensive production and Thornton's trips to the free-throw line, the Lady Eagles carried a 39-27 advantage into halftime.
Jackson State came out of the break looking to close the gap. Buntley opened the second-half scoring with a basket inside, and Thornton followed with a three-point play to bring the Tigers within seven. Buntley then connected from beyond the arc, cutting the deficit to just four points at 35-39 and putting pressure on the Southern Miss lead.
Southern Miss answered with a scoring push of its own, using timely baskets and free throws to extend the advantage. Eddings provided a spark off the bench with a basket and free throw, while Buntley continued attacking the basket. Jackson State entered the fourth quarter trailing 58-44.
The Tigers refused to go quietly in the final period. Selina Gutierrez opened the quarter with a layup before Cassidy Gladney connected from three-point range to cut the deficit to 11. Gladney added another basket in transition, and Thornton followed with a jumper to keep Jackson State within striking distance.
Gutierrez then knocked down a three-pointer, and Thornton added a layup to bring the Tigers within nine at 58-67 with just over four minutes remaining. Southern Miss responded with back-to-back three-pointers to restore its double-digit cushion. Buntley added a final jumper to finish with a game-high 23 points as the Tigers continued competing through the final minutes.
Inside the Numbers
- Ne'vaeh Buntley: 23 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals
- Taler Thornton: 13 points, 8 rebounds
- Cassidy Gladney: 8 points, 4 assists, 3 steals
- Madison Eddings: 5 points, 3 rebounds
- Selina Gutierrez: 5 points
- Jackson State out rebounded Southern Miss, 41-36.
- The Tigers scored 34 points in the paint.
- Jackson State recorded 20 bench points.
- JSU outscored Southern Miss 16-15 in the fourth quarter.
Up Next
The Tigers will travel to Jonesboro to take on Arkansas State on Tuesday. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.
