BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — South Alabama ended a six-game losing streak with a 69-62 win at Western Kentucky, the Jaguars’ first road victory of the season, as Mychal Ammons and Augustine Rubit each posted double-doubles.
South Alabama never trailed and led by as many as 19 points. The game was the Jaguars’ final regular-season meeting with Western Kentucky before the Hilltoppers move to Conference USA this summer.
Ammons, Rubit Lead the Way
Ammons led all scorers with a season-high 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. It was his highest-scoring game since Dec. 1, 2012.
Rubit had a game-high 13 rebounds, 12 points and five blocked shots, matching his career high in blocks. It was his first double-double in six games.
Holding Off the Hilltoppers
Western Kentucky used two 10-2 runs in the second half to trim a 19-point deficit to seven with 5:32 remaining. Ammons and Rubit answered each run to keep the Jaguars in front.
South Alabama then forced misses on three consecutive Western Kentucky possessions. Aakim Saintil scored on a layup, and Antoine Allen and Rubit combined for three free throws to protect the lead.
Graves: ‘We Came In With a Plan to Win’
“We came in with a plan to win,” head coach Matthew Graves said. “The bottom line is our guys really communicated with one another. They understood this was a big game.”
Graves praised Ammons’ approach after a difficult stretch. “His mindset was just different tonight. He came in and attacked the rim,” Graves said. “I’m really proud of how he bounced back.”
Graves said the Jaguars expected Western Kentucky to make a run and that his team responded by attacking the basket and getting to the free-throw line rather than settling for contested 3-pointers. “Guys stepped up for us and made some free throws for us down the stretch,” he said.
Rubit Climbs Record Books
Rubit passed Ed Rains for third place on South Alabama’s career scoring list and moved into 13th place in Sun Belt Conference history with 1,810 points. He is two points from 12th place in league history.
Rubit also recorded the 51st double-double of his career, leaving him one behind Terry Catledge for the school record.
Standings and Schedule
South Alabama improved to 8-17 overall and 2-10 in Sun Belt play. The Jaguars remain in last place in the conference standings but are two games behind the eighth and final qualifying spot for the Sun Belt Tournament, with six regular-season games remaining.
South Alabama plays at Texas State on Thursday at 7 p.m., the first of two remaining meetings with the Bobcats this season.
