Game Notes

MOBILE, Ala. – Following a season-opening loss at Mississippi State, the University of South Alabama men’s basketball team returns to the Mitchell Center Wednesday for its home lid-lifter against Mobile.

The Jaguars will be looking to extend their streak of 19 straight home-opening wins, a run that dates back to 1991. The program is 35-8 all-time when opening up in front of the home fans. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

“It’ll be good to be home,” said head coach Ronnie Arrow. “Playing Mobile means you’re always playing against good athletes. (Mobile head coach) Joe (Niland) does a good job with the team that he has. They’re going to show you different looks, which at this time of the year will be good for us. I didn’t know what to expect on the team’s reaction coming back, but Sunday was one of the best practices that we’ve had.”

Wednesday will mark the third straight year the two teams have met, with South Alabama holding a 2-0 series advantage. Despite the close proximity of the schools, they had not played prior to 2009.

Last season the Jags racked up 90 points, the third-highest output of the year, behind 17 from Javier Carter (Dallas, Texas) en route to a 90-48 win.

The Rams enter Wednesday with a 2-1 record. UM won its first two contests of the year before dropping an 80-71 decision Monday to Xavier (La.). Mobile also lost 73-69 to Nicholls State in an exhibition game earlier in the year.

“They play hard, play good defense and show you a lot of looks, whether it’s zone, man-to-man, zone press, full court or half court,” Arrow said. They’ll show you different looks and it will be with intensity. They execute well offensively too. It will be a game where we have to play hard from the start. We can’t take a bunch of forced shots. I think we learned from the other night that when we’re at our best, the ball starts inside and not taking a bunch of shots outside.”

Ji Kimbrough, who scored a team-high 15 points against the Jags last season, paces the Mobile offense with a 24.0 points-per-game average that leads the Southern States Athletic Conference. He had 27 Monday night against Xavier (La.) thanks to a 14-for-14 performance at the free throw line.

“He’s a very solid player. He plays hard and can really shoot the ball. He’s one of those guys that will give you everything that he has. You can’t leave him open or he’ll bury the shot.”

Freshman Mychal Ammons (Vicksburg, Miss.) continued his strong play to open the season with 15 points and nine rebounds against Mississippi State. He has scored in double-figures in each of USA’s first three games (including exhibitions) and shared team-high honors in rebounds Saturday with sophomore Augustine Rubit (Houston, Texas).

It took until the second half to get going, but Rubit got on track after halftime and posted 10 points and six rebounds in the final 20 minutes

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

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