DeAndre Coleman and Brandon Davis each recorded double-doubles as South Alabama basketball defeated Louisiana-Monroe 67-60, extending the Jaguars’ winning streak to four games.
The victory was South Alabama’s sixth in its last seven games and improved the Jaguars to 17-11 overall and 10-7 in the Sun Belt Conference.
First-Half Run Builds Lead
Louisiana-Monroe scored the game’s first points on a pair of free throws, and the teams stayed close through the opening minutes. Trailing 9-8 with 15:25 left in the first half, South Alabama went on an 18-4 run over the next seven-plus minutes to take a 13-point lead with 7:47 remaining before halftime.
The Warhawks cut into the margin and pulled within three points with 43 seconds left in the half. Coleman then scored on a tip-in as time expired, sending the Jaguars into the locker room ahead 35-30.
Jaguars Hold Off Late Push
South Alabama stretched its lead to as many as seven points early in the second half, and a 6-0 run over three minutes made it 46-35. The teams traded baskets for about seven minutes before the Jaguars built a 15-point lead with just under eight minutes to play.
Louisiana-Monroe answered over the next four minutes and closed to 63-56 with 3:48 remaining, but got no closer. South Alabama closed out the 67-60 win.
Coleman Leads All Scorers
Coleman finished with a game-high 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting, along with 10 rebounds and three blocked shots. He missed his only 3-point attempt and was 3-of-8 at the free-throw line. Davis added 16 points and 14 rebounds, and Domonic Tilford scored 11 points.
Ronald Douglas blocked four shots, extending his streak of consecutive games with at least one block to 12.
Lawrence Gilbert led Louisiana-Monroe with 14 points, while Malcolm Thomas and Kenneth Averette each scored 11.
By the Numbers
- Field goal percentage: South Alabama 47 percent, Louisiana-Monroe 35 percent
- Rebounds: South Alabama 41, Louisiana-Monroe 34
- Points in the paint: South Alabama 42, Louisiana-Monroe 20
- Points off turnovers: South Alabama 15, Louisiana-Monroe 10
- Fast-break points: South Alabama 8, Louisiana-Monroe 4
Arrow Credits Defense
Head coach Ronnie Arrow said improved perimeter defense has driven the team’s recent run. “It’s defense. Our guards have bought into better guarding their man,” Arrow said. “Before, all of their guys were getting to the hole, and our guys were shot-blocking. Now, they’re doing a better job of containing, knowing that if they get by our post is there to shot-block.”
Arrow singled out Douglas. “What Ronald Douglas does for this team, he alters so many shots,” he said. “It’s good to know when they do get by our guards, we have the shot-blockers back there to guard the hole.”
South Alabama closes the regular season Saturday at Troy, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
