USA Defeats ULL 81-73, Ending Six Game Skid
Augustine Rubit moved into 4th place all-time with 112 blocks in his 100th start as a Jaguar. Photo by John Adams | usajaguars.com
The University of South Alabama men’s basketball team earned their first Sun Belt Conference win of the season on Thursday night 81-73. The Jags held off a late surge by Louisiana-Lafayette that saw a 15-point lead dwindle to only two points with 2:23 left in the game.
The win improved their record to 7-11 overall and 1-4 in conference play while snapping a six game losing streak.
Senior Augustine Rubit led all scorers with 21 points while shooting 7-of-10 from the floor and making all seven attempts from the foul line. He also tied a career high with five blocks which was part of a 12 block night for the Jaguar team, which tied for third in school history and a new record at the Mitchell Center.
The Jags opened a 13-point lead by scoring the final six points of the first half and continuing the trend in the second half by scoring five of the first six points of the second half. But the Rajun’ Cajuns would use a 13-5 run midway through the second half to reduce a 15-point Jaguar lead down to seven points. Another run of 11-3 would further reduce the lead to 69-67 with 2:23 left in the game.
But the Jaguars recomposed themselves and scored eight unanswered points over a 43 second span to jump out to a 77-67 lead. From there the Jags were able hold on to secure the victory.
Only one Jaguar starter failed to reach double-digits. Freshman Ken Williams scored 18 points on 3-pointers, Aakim Saintil set a new career high with 15 points. Senior Antoine Allen added 12 points.
Mychal Ammons had eight rebounds and set a new career high with five assists.
Elfrid Payton led ULL with 18 points and a game-high six assists. Shawn Long earned his eighth double-double of the year with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Kevin Brown added 14 points off the bench on 4-of-5 shooting from outside the 3-point arc.
Rubit moved into fourth place in career shot blocks with 112 as he started his 100th game in a Jaguar uniform.
The victory celebration will be short lived as the Jaguars will be preparing for Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday at 7:30pm. The game is to be televised on the Sun Belt Network (CSS/Cox Sports). Check your local listings or come out and support your Jaguars!