University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
'02-'03 Eagle Debut A Success
11/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Files associated with this release:
'02-'03 Eagle Debut A Success
Hattiesburg, Miss. -- Southern Miss made its 2002-03 basketball debut a successful one with a 104-77 victory over Spirit Express, in an exhibition game played here Monday night. The game was the first of a pair of exhibition games for Head Coach James Green's Golden Eagles, and the second in a 10-game preseason swing for the touring Spirit Express team
Following tonight's game, the Golden Eagles will entertain Global Sports in the second exhibition game Nov. 12, and then open the regular season 10 days later when Alcorn State visits Green Coliseum for a 7 p.m., game.
The outcome of Monday night's game was decided early. Southern Miss scored the first nine points of the game, led 30-7 midway through the first 20 minutes, and finished the half with a 50-32 margin. The Eagles collected 12 close-in baskets and a total of 13 in-the-paint baskets in that first period, while shooting .532, hitting 21-of-39 attempts. Southern Miss followed that with an even better 20-of-35 in the second half to finish at .554, on 41-of-74 shooting.
Spirit Express managed just 12-of-33 baskets in the first half and 29-of-71 (.408) for the game. The visitors put four players in double figures with former Ole Miss standout Jason Smith collecting a game high 26 points. Former Golden Eagle Carl Henderson scored 13 points for the visitors on 6-of-10 field goals in 23 minutes of playing time. Seth LeGrand led all rebounders with 11 for Spirit Express.
The Golden Eagles got a balanced scoring attach, with five players in double figures. Senior Mario Myles led the way with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor. Jasper Johnson added 18 in his first game as a Golden Eagles, while junior Clement Carter accounted for 15 points, Greg Johnson 12 and Charles Gaines 10.
Southern Miss won the rebounding battle, 47-39, with Myles leading the way with eight. Gaines and Jasper Johnson had seven each.
Southern Miss also hit 8-of-19 (.421) three point shots, Jasper Johnson and Ryan Powell getting two each for the Eagles, and if there was a less than bright spot it would have to be the free throw shooting, where Southern Miss managed just 14-of-28 (.500)