South Alabama looks for at least a share of its third straight Sun Belt Conference East Division title on Saturday when it faces Florida International in Miami. The Jags need only a win or Western Kentucky loss to earn the No. 1 seed and would be the outright champion if both happen.
USA (24-5, 15-2) rode its seniors to an 81-61 victory over New Orleans in the regular-season home finale on Thursday. Daon Merritt tallied 22 points while Demetric Bennett posted his third double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Florida International (9-18, 6-11) lost for the ninth time in 13 games on Wednesday, 69-54 to Western Kentucky. Other storylines for tonight’s game:
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South Alabama won the first meeting 85-73 in Mobile. A minus-nine rebounding deficit was balanced by forcing 20 Golden Panther turnovers.
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Bennett’s 20-point effort was his 16th of the season and followed being held to single digits for just the third time all year.
The Series
South Alabama holds a 11-7 series lead over Florida International after winning the first meeting of the year, 85-74, on Jan. 12.
USA stands 4-3 against the Golden Panthers in Miami, winning three of the last four. Last year, the Golden Panthers snapped the Jags’ 13-game winning streak, 97-69.
A look at the last 10 games in the series:
Date Site W/L Score
Jan. 4, 2001 Miami, Fla. W 70-59
Jan. 23, 2002 Miami, Fla. L 66-56
Feb. 13, 2003 Mobile , Ala. L 56-46
Feb. 23, 2004 Mobile , Ala. W 62-46
Feb. 19, 2005 Mobile, Ala. L 74-71
Mar. 4, 2005 Denton, Texas L 60-57
Feb. 20, 2006 Miami, Fla. W 64-51
Jan. 4, 2007 Mobile , Ala. W 69-52
Feb. 18, 2007 Miami, Fla. L 69-97
Jan.. 15, 2008 Mobile, Ala. W 85-74
Arrow Against the Panthers
Head Coach Ronnie Arrow faced Florida International for the first time during his career when these teams met the first times.
The Golden Panthers joined the Sun Belt Conference after Arrow’s first stint with the Jaguars had ended.
Against the Sun Belt
South Alabama, the lone remaining charter member of the Sun Belt Conference, stands 266-200 all-time in 31 years of league play. That equates to a .571 winning percentage.
The Jaguars are 39-10 the last three seasons, including 15-2 this year and 13-5 in 2006-07.
On the Road
South Alabama stands 6-4 in true road games this year, alternating wins and losses over the last six attempts. The last road game was a 76-70 loss at Middle Tennessee on Feb. 14.
The four losses have been by a combined 14 points -- six at Middle Tennessee, three at Southeastern Conference members Ole Miss and Vanderbilt and two at North Texas.
The Jaguars have been equally good "away from home". They are 8-5 including a 2-1 finish in the Anaheim Classic.
The Quest for the Win Record
With 24 wins in 29 games -- and with at least two games remaining -- South Alabama is now looking at the school record for wins in a season.
The current Jags stand tied for second all-time, one shy of the 1980-81 team, which won 25 of its 31 games.
A listing of the 20-win teams in order of win total:
Rank Year Wins Games
1. 1980-81 25 31
2. 2007-08 24 29
2005-06 24 31
4. 1997-98 23 30
1996-97 23 30
1988-89 23 32
1979-80 23 29
2000-01 22 33
1990-91 22 31
1983-84 22 30
1973-74 22 28
12. 2006-07 20 32
1999-2000 20 30
1978-79 20 27
Double-Digit Wins
South Alabama picked up its school-record 15th conference win on Thursday, compared to only two losses. Two teams previously posted 14 victories -- in 1996-97 and 1997-98.
Additionally, combined with 12 wins in 2005-06 and 13 wins a year ago, this marks the first time USA has ever accomplished it three straight years.
A listing of the most Sun Belt Conference wins in school history:
No. Year Wins Losses
1. 2007-08 15 2
2. 1996-97 14 4
1997-98 14 4
4. 1999-2000 13 3
2006-07 13 5 6. 1979-80 12 2
2005-06 12 3
8. 1988-89 11 3
1990-91 11 3
2000-01 11 5
11. 1978-79 10 0
It All Comes Down to This
South Alabama needs only to win tonight to clinch a share of the East Division championship. The Jag could also back in if the Hilltoppers lose.
A title would be the fourth since the league went to divisional play (third straight) and 11th overall.
While South Alabama and Western Kentucky would be co-champs if both have the same result tonight, the Jaguars would earn the top seed by virtue of a season sweep.
The No. 1 seed plays in the 12:30 quarterfinal next Sunday, while No. 3 team plays the late (approximately 9 p.m.) quarterfinal game.
A Big Day
Daon Merritt made Thursday one of the biggest days of his life when he proposed to girlfrend Treva Dortch during Senior Day ceremonies. After she accepted, the Jamaica, N.Y. native scored a team-high 22 points, hitting five three-pointers -- another season best.
Merritt had 14 of his points and four of his treys in the first half, helping the Jaguars to a 41-19 lead at intermission.
