University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Saturday, January 18
Reed Green Coliseum
2 p.m. CT
Southern Miss
vs
Rice
Photo by: Joe Harper/bgnphoto.com
Men's Basketball Continues Homestand Saturday versus Rice
1/17/2020 12:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss Men's Basketball has an opportunity to close its homestand on a high note when it hosts Rice at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The game can be found on ESPN+ with Lee Roberts and Larry Boyd on the call, as well as with John Cox through the Southern Miss Learfield IMG Sports Network (Rock 104.5 in Hattiesburg/Laurel) and the Gameday app.
The game also serves as the first 2020 edition of the Golden Stars program, rewarding Pine Belt students for academic excellence. It will continue each Saturday of league play. This matchup is also the second in the program's zip-code ticket promo, meaning fans from 38916 (Calhoun City) can purchase $8 reserved chairback seats in honor of junior LaDavius Draine.
Game Notes
– Southern Miss faced a tough matchup on Thursday against North Texas, as the Mean Green started 4-for-5 on three-pointers and played sound defense for a 72-52 win. The Golden Eagles pulled within 52-45 at the 11-minute mark, but UNT scored eight-straight points to put the rally to rest. The Black and Gold shot 54 percent in the first half but were held to 30 in the second.
– Tyler Stevenson made his first four shots and finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds, his second double-double (also at LA Tech). Boban Jacdonmi showcased moments from early in the season before his injury, scoring the team's final seven points for a team-high 13. The Golden Eagles went 1-for-5 from the three-point line, their first time attempting single-digits since a Feb. 14, 2015 win over FAU.
– Jacdonmi has 13 points in consecutive games after averaging 3.0 in the first three after his return on Dec. 30 (missed previous five games). He was in double-figures for each of the first five contests this year, including the career-high 29-point, 10-rebound performance on Opening Night.
– Southern Miss, in league play, is second C-USA with an 81.3 free-throw percentage (61-for-75). It was at 68.6 percent in non-conference action. Several notable improvements have been made with three of the six returners. Gabe Watson is up 14.4 percent, Stevenson 19.3 and Jacdonmi 44.1 (was 4-for-12, now 24-for-31).
– Stevenson has been the team's top performer inside Reed Green Coliseum, leading the way in scoring (15.8 ppg), shooting (61.6 percent), free-throws (20) and percentage (69.0). The Golden Eagles are 4-4 in those, while Rice is 2-5 on the road with its lone C-USA win a 92-78 decision over a talented FIU team. Stevenson also ranks No. 11 overall in C-USA for rebounding (6.0 pg) and field-goal percentage (52.3). Harper-Baker is also fourth in boards with 7.3 per game.
– Draine recently surpassed Jimmie Floyd (1994-98) for sole possession of No. 4 in school history for career-three-point makes with 145. He has made a career-high seven twice, first against UTEP last season and also against Tougaloo on Dec. 21. Next up is Neil Watson at 164 from 2011-14. Three-point attempts account for 58.6 percent of his overall tries, compared to 62.5 last year. He already has as many assists (26) as the last two years combined.
– Rice has won seven of the last eight meetings, with Southern Miss coming out victorious in the last home meeting (86-75 on Jan. 18, 2018). That game was significant for the Golden Eagles coming out on top despite just 17 rebounds, its fewest since 1984.Â
– When the two teams met last year in Houston, it was the Golden Eagles' fifth-straight road game. Tyree Griffin hit a buzzer-beater just shy of half-court for a 42-33 halftime lead, but Rice opened the second on a 24-6 run. Despite Southern Miss getting within 57-56 at 6:42, it was too much to overcome. Harper-Baker had eight points and 10 rebounds, while Griffin had 17 points and nine assists. Rice held Southern Miss to 29 percent shooting in the second half (51.5 in the first) and went 10-for-30 on threes.
– The Owls are third in C-USA play in allowing just 29.6 percent from long-range. Southern Miss have just 12 three-point makes in their first five league games, but will have to take what the defense gives them elsewhere, including getting to the line in hopes of maintaining its success there. The Golden Eagles are 13-7 in C-USA home games since the 2017-18 season.
The game can be found on ESPN+ with Lee Roberts and Larry Boyd on the call, as well as with John Cox through the Southern Miss Learfield IMG Sports Network (Rock 104.5 in Hattiesburg/Laurel) and the Gameday app.
The game also serves as the first 2020 edition of the Golden Stars program, rewarding Pine Belt students for academic excellence. It will continue each Saturday of league play. This matchup is also the second in the program's zip-code ticket promo, meaning fans from 38916 (Calhoun City) can purchase $8 reserved chairback seats in honor of junior LaDavius Draine.
Game Notes
– Southern Miss faced a tough matchup on Thursday against North Texas, as the Mean Green started 4-for-5 on three-pointers and played sound defense for a 72-52 win. The Golden Eagles pulled within 52-45 at the 11-minute mark, but UNT scored eight-straight points to put the rally to rest. The Black and Gold shot 54 percent in the first half but were held to 30 in the second.
– Tyler Stevenson made his first four shots and finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds, his second double-double (also at LA Tech). Boban Jacdonmi showcased moments from early in the season before his injury, scoring the team's final seven points for a team-high 13. The Golden Eagles went 1-for-5 from the three-point line, their first time attempting single-digits since a Feb. 14, 2015 win over FAU.
– Jacdonmi has 13 points in consecutive games after averaging 3.0 in the first three after his return on Dec. 30 (missed previous five games). He was in double-figures for each of the first five contests this year, including the career-high 29-point, 10-rebound performance on Opening Night.
– Southern Miss, in league play, is second C-USA with an 81.3 free-throw percentage (61-for-75). It was at 68.6 percent in non-conference action. Several notable improvements have been made with three of the six returners. Gabe Watson is up 14.4 percent, Stevenson 19.3 and Jacdonmi 44.1 (was 4-for-12, now 24-for-31).
– Stevenson has been the team's top performer inside Reed Green Coliseum, leading the way in scoring (15.8 ppg), shooting (61.6 percent), free-throws (20) and percentage (69.0). The Golden Eagles are 4-4 in those, while Rice is 2-5 on the road with its lone C-USA win a 92-78 decision over a talented FIU team. Stevenson also ranks No. 11 overall in C-USA for rebounding (6.0 pg) and field-goal percentage (52.3). Harper-Baker is also fourth in boards with 7.3 per game.
– Draine recently surpassed Jimmie Floyd (1994-98) for sole possession of No. 4 in school history for career-three-point makes with 145. He has made a career-high seven twice, first against UTEP last season and also against Tougaloo on Dec. 21. Next up is Neil Watson at 164 from 2011-14. Three-point attempts account for 58.6 percent of his overall tries, compared to 62.5 last year. He already has as many assists (26) as the last two years combined.
– Rice has won seven of the last eight meetings, with Southern Miss coming out victorious in the last home meeting (86-75 on Jan. 18, 2018). That game was significant for the Golden Eagles coming out on top despite just 17 rebounds, its fewest since 1984.Â
– When the two teams met last year in Houston, it was the Golden Eagles' fifth-straight road game. Tyree Griffin hit a buzzer-beater just shy of half-court for a 42-33 halftime lead, but Rice opened the second on a 24-6 run. Despite Southern Miss getting within 57-56 at 6:42, it was too much to overcome. Harper-Baker had eight points and 10 rebounds, while Griffin had 17 points and nine assists. Rice held Southern Miss to 29 percent shooting in the second half (51.5 in the first) and went 10-for-30 on threes.
– The Owls are third in C-USA play in allowing just 29.6 percent from long-range. Southern Miss have just 12 three-point makes in their first five league games, but will have to take what the defense gives them elsewhere, including getting to the line in hopes of maintaining its success there. The Golden Eagles are 13-7 in C-USA home games since the 2017-18 season.
Players Mentioned
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