University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Basketball Hosts Tennessee State In Non-Conference Action Monday
12/18/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 18, 2005
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss Golden Eagles continue their seven-game homestand Monday, hosting the Tennessee State Tigers in non-conference action at Reed Green Coliseum. Tip-off for the game is set for 7 p.m.
Monday's game will be broadcast over the Southern Miss ISP Sports Network, with the "Voice of the Golden Eagles" John Cox and legendary coach M.K. Turk calling the action. Air time begins at 6:30 p.m., CT, with the Golden Eagle Courtside Show.
Southern Miss, under the direction of second-year Head Coach Larry Eustachy, enters the game after defeating William Carey, 90-57, on Thursday, Dec. 15. The team sports an overall record of 3-6.
Shaun Simpson continues to lead the team in scoring with 10.4 points per game, while Jarekus Singleton and Courtney Beasley follow with respective averages of 7.6 and 7.4 points per night. Simpson and Ambres both lead the team in rebounds per game with 4.8 and 4.3, respectively, while Kyle Lamonte leads all players with 28 assists on the year. The Golden Eagles have combined to shoot 44 percent from the field (185-of-422) and 65 percent from the free throw line (113-of-173), while averaging 56.6 points per game.
Tennessee State enters Monday's game with an overall mark of 2-2, with a 1-1 record in Ohio Valley Conference play. The Tigers, under the direction of Head Coach Cy Alexander, opened the season with a 72-63 victory over Fisk, but then dropped a pair of games against league opponent Southeast Missouri State and Georgia Tech. The team bounced back with a conference win over Eastern Illinois, gaining the 84-68 victory on Monday, Dec. 12.
Tennessee State has four players averaging double figures this season, led by Bruce Price's 18.8 points per game average. Clarence Matthews and Wayne Arnold each follow with 14.5 points per game, and Kareem Grant has a 13.3 points per game average. Arnold and Matthews both had team-best rebounding totals with 6.3 per game, and Price had a team-high 21 assists.
The game marks only the second time that Southern Miss and Tennessee State have met, with the Golden Eagles holding a 1-0 advantage in series play. The two teams met in the second round of the Mid-South Classic in Memphis, Tenn., on Nov. 26, 1983 with Southern Miss earning a 65-61 overtime victory in the contest.
The game also is part of Southern Miss Athletics' "Eight is Great" ticket promotion and single-game bleacher tickets will be $3.
Following the contest, the Golden Eagles stay at home, playing host to Bradley on Wednesday. Tip-off for the game is set for 7:05 p.m.
