SOUTHERN ROUTS ALCORN STATE, 73-52; FACES JACKSON STATE IN SEMI'S :: Jags use balanced scoring and rebound domination to move on in tourney.

March 10, 2006

Birmingham, Ala. (Courtesy of SWAC Tournament Recaps) -- The Jaguars routed eighth-seeded Alcorn State, 73-52, to reach the semifinals. Southern will play Jackson State at 7:30 p.m. Friday night.

The Jaguars dominated in the paint, outscoring the Braves, 42-14, to secure control of the game.

Alvin Mott led three Southern players in double figures with a game-high 14 points. Deforrest Riley-Smith had 12, and Chris Alexander 11. Riley-Smith also finished with 9 rebounds for Southern (17-12), and Delvin Thompson had 9 boards for the Braves, who ended the season 8-20.

Juan Wyatt led Alcorn with 13 points. Patrick Horton contributed 10.

Southern dominated the first half in the quarterfinal against Alcorn, using its size and offensive prowess to pull away during the first 20 minutes of action. The Jaguars outrebounded the Braves 20-15. Alcorn, meanwhile, didn't help its cause by committing 9 turnovers in the first half.

Southern played 10 players in the first half, and all but two found a way to score. The Jaguars built its lead to 21-6 during the first 10 minutes, and stretched it to 37-17 by the half.

SU outscored Alcorn 24-8 in the paint, and 11-4 on second-chance points.

Next up, the Jags face Jackson State (15-16) in the semifinals. Tip time is 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Southern beat Jackson State twice during the regular season. The Jaguars beat JSU 80-65 on January 9 in Baton Rouge, La., and won 70-58 on February 6 in Jackson.