MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama broke open a tied game with a 12-0 run early in the second half and beat William Carey 82-64 in its home opener at the Mitchell Center.
The Jaguars improved to 2-0. William Carey played the game as an exhibition.
Second-Half Surge
William Carey led for most of the first half. South Alabama regained the lead late in the half, but the Crusaders came up with a steal and a layup before the buzzer to tie the game 36-36 at halftime.
Four different Jaguars scored during the 12-0 run that followed the break, and junior Antoine Allen capped it with back-to-back 3-pointers, South Alabama’s first made 3s of the game. William Carey opened the second half 1 of 11 from the floor.
Midway through the half, Xavier Roberson hit consecutive 3-pointers during a 7-0 run that put the Jaguars ahead 59-44. Roberson finished with 15 points, all after halftime.
Ammons, Rubit Lead the Frontcourt
Sophomore Mychal Ammons had 19 points and 13 rebounds for his third consecutive double-double, dating to last season.
“I think last year we played (Mychal) 95 percent outside,” head coach Ronnie Arrow said. “He never played outside before but we thought that he could become a 6-foot-6 power ‘3’ man and all that skill work he did last year has helped him this year play the ‘3’ and the ‘4.’ He can put the ball on the floor better.”
Junior Augustine Rubit scored 20 points, 16 in the first half, and grabbed nine rebounds, one short of a double-double.
“I thought Aug was getting back to his form,” Arrow said. “He really isn’t back yet from his dislocated toe, but he was moving a lot better tonight.”
Senior Javier Carter blocked seven shots, a total that tied for fifth in school history, and tied his career high with three assists.
Coaches’ Comments
Arrow said his team’s first-half defense did not match the Crusaders’ shooting ability.
“I kept telling everybody that that team was very athletic and could shoot the ball,” Arrow said. “Not to take anything away from them, but we didn’t guard like we wanted to at the beginning of the game.”
William Carey coach Steve Knight pointed to South Alabama’s size inside.
“We won’t face anybody all year that’s got a front line like they’ve got,” Knight said. “They finally started making some shots in the second half, and that hurt us. If you’re going to try to double the post, then they start making threes, it’s pick your poison.”
Up Next
South Alabama plays Tennessee State on Monday at 3 p.m. in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic in Atlanta, hosted by Georgia State.
