Game Notes

MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama, winners of their last four home games, will hope to make it five Saturday when the Jaguars face the Louisiana at Monroe men’s basketball team at 7:05 p.m.

The game can be heard in Mobile on 105.5 WNSP or online at WNSP.com. A videostream will be available for Jaguar Athletics All-Access subscribers at USAJaguars.com.

A win would also be South Alabama's 700th since the start of the program in 1968-69.

The Jags own a 6-1 mark in the Mitchell Center this season and have won all four games at home vs. the Warhawks since the series began in 1975.

The Mitchell Center will be a welcome change after a road trip to Florida that saw USA drop games at Florida Atlantic and Florida International. Saturday’s contest will start a three-game homestand that lasts through Jan. 22.

“It’s good to be at home but more importantly, we’re healthier now with Martino (Brock) close to 100 percent,” USA head coach Ronnie Arrow said. “But it’s always good to play at home. These next three games are must-wins for us. We need to step up and win our home games like we’ve done in the past and take care of our business here.”

The Jaguars have outscored the opposition by 15.1 points per game in their home arena and average almost 80 points. The team won its Sun Belt home opener on Jan. 2 against Middle Tennessee 63-57.

The Warhawks (5-13, 0-4) have yet to win in conference play and rank last in the Sun Belt in scoring offense (59.8). They lost their last outing 81-50 at Arkansas-Little Rock Thursday and gave up 17 3-pointers.

“They’ve been in almost every game they’ve played, other than last night,” Arrow said. “They had FIU down 19-6 at one point. They could very easily be 3-1 in the league right now. They’re definitely a team that you can’t go by their record.”

Despite the team’s scoring woes ULM is balanced at the top with four players averaging double-digit points. The group accounts for over 77 percent  of the team’s points, led by Fred Brown’s 12.9  scoring average. Hugh Mingo (12.0) and Tommie Sykes (11.6) rank second and third, respectively, and Lawrence Gilbert averages 11.1 per contest.

“Those four guys aren’t that big but they’re quick and part of a very physical team,” Arrow said. “We are going to have to show up and be physical. We’ve gotten better at it, but in the games that have been very physical we have not stepped up to the plate. From here on out, we’re going to have to play very physical and play like its life-and-death for us to have an opportunity to win this conference.”

Despite the two losses, redshirt freshman Augustine Rubit (Houston, Texas) continued his stellar play with 10 rebounds against FAU and his seventh double-double of the year vs. FIU with 20 points (tying his career high) and 12 rebounds. He is tied for the league lead in double-doubles with seven and has at least nine rebounds in each of his last 10 games.

Rubit has helped the team lead the league in both offensive rebounds per game (15.1) and offensive rebounding percentage (.382). The Jags had 24 offensive boards at Florida Atlantic last Thursday, but had only 11 to FIU’s 13 on Saturday.

“You can work on offensive rebounds, but in most cases, you have a group of kids that go to the offensive boards,” Arrow said. “Augustine, Javier (Carter) and (DeAndré) Hersey go to the offensive boards. We have not been consistent, even though we lead the league, with our ‘3’ men going to the boards. We’re at our best when guys like Tim (Williams) and Martino are getting offensive rebounds and going to the free throw line. Then we really become an aggressive rebounding and scoring team.”

NOTES: According to Arrow, junior Antione Lundy will be cleared to return Feb. 1. “That’ll help us so we can move Gary (Redus) to stay at the guard spots. I think it’s hurt him moving from inside to outside.”

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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