MOBILE, Ala. — In a South Alabama Louisiana-Lafayette game that featured repeated lead changes in the second half, junior Tim Williams and freshman Martino Brock each recorded a double-double as the Jaguars rallied for a 67-65 victory Saturday night at the Mitchell Center.
The win moved South Alabama to 15-12 overall and 7-8 in the Sun Belt Conference. Louisiana-Lafayette fell to 11-14 overall and 8-6 in league play.
Cajuns Lead at the Break
South Alabama scored early to take the lead, but the Ragin’ Cajuns moved in front and held the advantage deep into the second half. The Jaguars trimmed the deficit late in the first half before Louisiana-Lafayette pulled away again to lead 35-25 at halftime.
Second-Half Swings
Back-to-back 3-pointers by Brock and Williams opened the second half and cut the margin to 35-31. Play was then halted for an extended officials’ review of an altercation involving Louisiana-Lafayette players and South Alabama’s Tabet, who left the game to receive medical attention for a cut.
After the stoppage, the Cajuns scored the next five points. South Alabama answered with a 9-2 run before Louisiana-Lafayette’s Tyren Johnson scored seven consecutive points. Brock and Williams combined for seven points to pull the Jaguars back within range, and after a three-point play by Johnson, Williams hit a 3-pointer with 7:22 remaining to make it 52-50.
Allyn Cooks then put South Alabama in front 55-54 with a layup and followed with a 3-pointer to finish an 8-0 run and make it 58-54. Johnson scored the next four points to tie the game at 58.
Four South Alabama free throws restored a 62-58 lead, but Johnson scored five of the Cajuns’ next seven points as Louisiana-Lafayette went back ahead 65-62.
Brock Delivers in Final Seconds
Williams made two free throws to bring South Alabama within 65-64. After a turnover, Williams missed a 3-point attempt, and Brock grabbed the offensive rebound and scored to give the Jaguars a 66-65 lead with 23 seconds left.
Randell Daigle missed a jumper for Louisiana-Lafayette with 13 seconds remaining. Brock secured the rebound, was fouled and made one of two free throws for a 67-65 lead. Daigle’s 3-point attempt with two seconds left missed.
“To win close games, you’ve got to have guys that will make plays,” South Alabama coach Ronnie Arrow said. “Tim made some big jump shots and made his free throws, and Martino had a big rebound and a put-back. We took care of the ball for the most part and we got stops.”
South Alabama made nine 3-pointers, tying its season high, and shot 7-for-11 from beyond the arc after halftime.
Final Road Trip
The Jaguars begin their final road swing of the regular season next week. South Alabama plays at Western Kentucky on Thursday at 7 p.m. and at Middle Tennessee on Saturday at 7 p.m.
