SWAC leader SU to face Alcorn

Jags hold half-game lead over Prairie View, Alabama A&M with three games left

Published: Friday, February 26, 2010

Updated: Friday, February 26, 2010 19:02

April Buffington/DIGEST

Southern's Ashley Augerson goes up for a basket over Alcorn State's Kiara Ruffin (12) and Amanda Davidson (24) during the first meeting between the two teams. The SWAC-leading Jaguars head up to The Reservation to take on the Lady Braves while holding a half-game lead over Prairie View and Alabama A&M.

The Southern University women's basketball team is three wins shy of clinching the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season title, along with the top seed in the upcoming SWAC Tournament in Shreveport.

In many other ways, perseverance can steer them in that direction.

Southern (17-8, 11-4) heads into Saturday's game against Alcorn State (6-17, 6-9) atop the conference standings. However, that lead is only a half-game over slumping defending champion Prairie View A&M (13-10, 10-4) and streaking Alabama A&M (14-9, 10-4) with three games left on the Jagaurs' schedule — including home games next weekend against PV and Texas Southern to close out the regular season.

"It's going to be a battle these last three game," assistant coach Carlos Funchess said. "As a coach, you look at it one game at a time."

First things first, SU must get past a Lady Braves team fighting for its postseason life. Alcorn is in a three-way battle for one of the final two SWAC Tournament berths with Mississippi Valley State (9-17, 6-9) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (7-18, 6-9). The trio are one game behind Alabama State (9-14, 6-8).

Southern routed Alcorn 70-43 in their earlier meeting at the F.G. Clark Activity Center. However, the road has not been totally good for Southern. "It's tough on the road," said assistant coach Carlos Funchess. "Defensively, I think we been solid; offensively we been up and down."

The Jaguars head into Saturday's game 6-6 away from the Minidome. Southern split a 65-62 loss at AAMU, winners of five straight, with a 44-41 at Alabama State — games marked by late rallies by the opposing ball club.

The Jaguars led both games in the second half, only to see AAMU and ASU rally back to make the game close. SU led the Lady Bulldogs 55-48 with 5:29 left in regulation before AAMU outscored Southern 12-7 to overtake the Jaguars.

SU led Alabama State 40-28 before the Lady Hornets went on a 13-4 run in the final 6:37.